Vietnam Babylift Personal
Stories
Anne McCrudden
Thank you for this website. It brought back memories of 30 years ago. I had
worked with Rosemary in Saigon at Allambie from 1971 to 1973.
In April 1975 I was living in Mexico with my husband and baby son. Our daughter
Emma was being cared for by Birgit and Christie who had promised that she
would not leave Vietnam without her. On April 1st I was called and asked to
get up to San Francisco, as they needed lots of carers for the babylifts that
were coming in. I met up with other carers and stayed at a friend's house
awaiting the first flight.
In the early hours of the morning, I had a phone call which simply said "Turn
the television on." We sat in disbelief and shock as we watched the newscast.
I scanned the faces of all the surviving babies to see if I could see our
daughter. We saw Christie, and then I knew that Emma must have been on the
flight. I felt totally numb. We went up to the Presidio as we heard that more
flights were coming through. News drifted in of the adults we knew that had
died: Margaret, Dolly, Birgit, Dolly's children, and the names of some of
the children. We waited there all day and most of the night. We had been told
if we cried or expressed any distress we would be asked to leave.
We sat in silence, waiting and waiting. Lots more volunteers came in to the
hall. We were all given a number, and told we would each be assigned a child
as they came off the plane. I explained to one of the military staff that
my daughter could be on the incoming flight, and that even if she wasn't,
my surviving friends were. I was told that once I was on the bus I would not
be able to get off.
We saw the plane land, and we waited on the buses. We waited and waited and
waited. I felt for the children and my friends, who had been through so much
trauma and a long difficult flight, only to have to wait so that President
Ford could be afforded a photo opportunity.
In the distance I could see someone waving from the door of the plane. Was
this someone with Emma? We continued to wait. Suddenly, someone came to my
bus, and said come with me. I went to the plane, and climbed up, uncertain
of what I would find. I was too scared to ask if Emma was alive or dead. We
looked at each other - what words could be said? We knew what was happening
in our heart, and hugged each other.
As I moved down the plane, I saw Wende, I looked at her questioningly. She
walked over to a cardboard box, picked up Emma, and said, "Here is someone
who wants to see you." I couldn't believe she was alive!
Now Emma is 30, happy and healthy after a difficult start, and mum to Sophie
and Jack. In loving memory of all those who died, today, 30 years ago. You
are still loved and remembered.
- Anne McCrudden
Email: anne_gelic@virgin.net