Sandy Vasko grew up in Lockport, Illinois, part of a colorful extended family. In 1967 she left college and eloped with a high school beau, George Rolowicz. The couple lived in Charleston, South Carolina until George was drafted into the Army. After his basic training, the couple spent time in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma until he deployed to South Vietnam. According to Sandy, he came back a changed man, often angry and very jealous. Sandy left him after he beat her a second time. She left Charleston and returned to the Chicago area. George and Sandy eventually divorced, and Sandy later married a friend she had met while George was in Vietnam.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt-Audio
Coming Home
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Family history, early life, education and marriage to George Rolowicz
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Experiences while George was in Vietnam and post-war struggles with PTSD
Photos
Caption
Sandy’s father, Sergeant Chris Nielsen, in his official U.S. Army photo, circa 1944.
Where:
Unknown
When:
circa 1944
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Sandy’s parents, Chris Nielsen and Jeannine Kaminski, outside a café in St. Ghillian, (St. Ghislain) Belgium in early 1945. Chris spent as much time as he could with Jeannine while he was still stationed in Belgium.
Where:
St. Ghislain, Belgium
When:
early 1945
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Chris and Jeannine Nielsen took this photo during the 1947 Christmas season. They lived in Lockport, Illinois at the time.
Where:
Lockport, Illinois
When:
1947
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Sandy takes a break from her crocheting while she lived in Will County, Illinois.
Where:
Will County, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's photo