Vietnam Babylift Personal Stories

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Email: jsanbowers@hotmail.com

City: Bedford
State: PA
Country: USA

Comments: Hello, I was a Private at Ft. Benning Georgia during Operation Babylift. I remember going into the Ft. Benning Elementry school. Oh, the children! I remember one young boy who had to crab walk on his crossed legs and his hands to get around. I remember the babies, one whose twin did not make it to CONUS; he died before the plane reached Hawaii. I remember the children holding onto pieces of food to take with them from the cafeteria back to their dorm (a converted class room.) I remember one little guy who was the best pickpocket I have ever seen. He would take your wallet, come around to face you, hand it to you, smiling; you would put it back, button the pocket...he would do it again as soon as you turned away. The children quickly learned what a vending machine was, and would sit near it hoping that you would give them some of whatever you just purchased. We had to take them out. I was touched. I hope that all have lead a healthy and sucessful life. God's Blessings

Joyce (Voss) Sanbowers