30th Anniversary (2005)

30th Anniversary of the End of the Viet Nam / American War and Operation Babylift

(ARCHIVE – April 2005)

 

In April 1975 approximately three thousand orphans from Viet Nam were brought to the West in a humanitarian project known as Operation Babylift. Over one thousand Vietnamese orphans had also been adopted abroad in the Viet Nam/American War years prior to 1975.

Upon reaching maturity, a number of these adoptees began to form collectives to reflect upon their past and to re-discover their cultural background. The various activities and networking of these adoptees has led to reunions with each other, the volunteers who worked in the airlifts, orphanage workers and in some cases, their surviving natural relatives from Viet Nam. However, there are still many missing pieces.

As the 30th anniversary of these orphans’ removal from Viet Nam and arrival to the West lies just ahead, there exists a dynamic opportunity for this community in development, and others with whom their lives intersect, to meet up again and share their memories, dreams, current views and new discoveries. This site is being developed to document some of the activities and developments related to this important stage in adopted – Vietnamese history.

 

See some of the 30th Anniversary Events that took place:

 

Messages related to 30th Anniversary

RE: 30th Anniversary Motherland Tour 
One of the adoptees who attended a previous event with the Motherland Tour wishes to share her experiences on the trip with other adoptees as well as make contact for the planned one in April 2005. Please Email Tia at: tiamcconnell@hotmail.com

RE: C5 Galaxy Crash Memorial
An American who lost his father, a crew member killed on the C-5 that crashed 4 April1975, has written to AVI because he is planning a trip to Vietnam 31 March – 9 APRIL 2005. He will be traveling with a friend and would like to meet some of the orphans that survived the crash. If you would like to make contact with him please email Jerry at: JJohnso4@ETHUS.JNJ.com