Vietnam Babylift Personal Stories
from
Vietnam veteran
Mike Callahan
My tour of duty ended in November 1970, and I was discharged in May of the following year. Sally and I, like many other Americans, watched the war drag on. By 1975, Communist forces had encircled Saigon. From my living room I watched Walter Cronkite detail the hysteria that was consuming the citizens of that city. One story I saw offered a ray of hope: it was called Operation Babylift. Somehow, someway, people were trying to get orphans out of the chaos. Could it be Madame Ngai's children? Did the little boy on crutches make it? How about that precious little girl? There was no way to know.
***EDITOR'S NOTE: These were children that Mike met at An Lac Orphanage when he assisted at the orphanage during his tour of duty in Vietnam***
Then we heard about an Air Force C-5A crashing just after taking off from Tan Son Nhut killing many orphans. I didn't want to think about it. Saigon fell and our national tragedy came to a merciful end. My heart wept for the 58,000 who fell and for those children whose fate I could only imagine.
In December of 2002, I was cleaning out the basement when I came upon some boxes that were labeled "Vietnam Stuff"...I found negatives . . . the pictures of the orphans at An Lac. They were in great shape so I had them developed. When I got them a few days later, I looked into the faces that had gazed into my heart 33 years ago. A flood of memories returned so vividly that it seemed like yesterday. I could almost hear their voices and feel them struggling to climb into my arms. Then I recalled the desperate days in 1975, when the C-5A went down. What happened to them? Were they still alive? As I studied each photograph, I finally recognized a face and remembered a name: Betty Tisdale, the lady with a mission. She was the one who'd wanted the pictures in 1970. I recalled her boundless energy and wondered. I returned to the Internet and found her almost immediately in Seattle. I placed the call and Betty answered the phone. I reintroduced myself and explained that I had been with the 121st Signal, 1st Infantry Division and she recalled the help we had given the orphanage. "I shall never forget the 121st or the Big Red One!" she said. We relived those days for a little while and I told her about the photographs. I told her I would send her a set and she requested two. Remembering this fine woman had a reason and a mission, I complied. We talked a little longer and she told me about Madame Ngai. Betty helped organize Operation Baby Lift and got her out on one of the last flights. Madame Ngai lived with Betty until she died in 1978. I was glad it had been my privilege to meet her.
Betty called on the evening of February 17 to let me know she had received the pictures. She remembered several of the children's names . .. . some were in the US but others were still in Vietnam. She informed me that she was returning to Vietnam to have a reunion with the orphans she had to leave behind.
Betty went to Vietnam and e-mailed me one evening from "hot and humid Saigon," telling me about her reunion with the now middle aged orphans she hadn't seen since 1975. Accompanying her was a gentleman named Keith Morrison and his camera crew from Dateline NBC. Betty gave these adult orphans the pictures I took of them thirty four years ago and related to me that these pictures were probably the only mementoes of their childhood days. Mr. Morrison interviewed one of the orphans through an interpreter. She was a widow with two daughters, one in medical school and the other employed by a retail store in Ho Chi Minh City. Xinh Mai owns a clothing store in the "market district" and Betty told me she is as beautiful today as when she sat on my knee at the Saigon Zoo thirty four years ago. I guess this a good place to end my war stories.
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These things I have just related to you have bearing on what
has been revealed to me. Foremost, my Vietnam experience showed me that God
is near . . . always. He has, I believe, spoken to me many times and it has
been up to me to listen. I learned, too, that I could talk to Him anytime
I wanted, but, again, it was up to me. I must admit that, many times, I have
taken the easy way through a difficult situation knowing full well that is
was not the right way. God has revealed my faults many times. I know that
because I've been listening.
I also learned other things. First, I learned from General Wolff. When I observed
this professional soldier, a general, take time to lend aid to the wounded
enlisted man, he showed me that regardless of rank or whatever station in
life that I could achieve, always take time to lend a hand to someone in need.
Showing kindness toward anyone in need manifests itself. It benefits those
helped, it points the way for those who observe but, ultimately, the primary
benefactor is the giver. Today, General Wolff is retired and living happily
in Hawaii. We stay in touch.
Second, I learned from Betty Tisdale. She, like the general, showed me the
benefits of caring for your fellow man. For some reason, I usually feel a
little guilty when I talk with her. She taught me to seek a higher goal although
I don't think I could ever come close to her accomplishments. She helped the
most helpless in Vietnam and she is still doing it. Today, Betty lives in
Seattle and runs an organization called Helping And Loving Orphans, HALO.
She recently set up an orphanage in Kabul, Afghanistan with the aid of her
old friend, the US Army.
Third, I learned from my parents. I know how to make lemonade when life deals
a lemon. They allowed me to experience the results of taking "the easy
way out." Without their careful guidance I truly don't know where I would
be. . . probably not here.
Finally, I learned from the young corporal, the one who ran from the fight
only to return and do his duty. I learned to never give up. Kipling said it
best, " . . .'tis ruin to run from a fight." Like the corporal,
you face the challenge but if you're overwhelmed, you must observe, evaluate,
adapt and overcome. Face your fears, talk to God. I can assure you He's listening.
The corporal returned from Vietnam. In fact, he lives quietly here in High
Point and stands before you this evening, saved only by the grace of God.
As I mentioned earlier, Vietnam revealed many lessons to me but, above all,
it punctuated a Sunday school lesson that Joe Ameen taught many years ago
. . . the lesson about the Golden Rule. Almost every point I've tried to make
revolves around it. I'm acutely aware that I've been remiss in practicing
it, at times. I think that's why I need to talk with God on a regular basis.
He always knows the way, your way and mine. It's up to us to listen. It's
always up to us.
In closing, I'd like to ask a favor of you. If you find yourself in Washington,
DC with a little time on your hands, please go down to the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. As you walk along the walls etched with the 58,195 names, pause
for a moment at panels 15 and 16 West. Near the bottom of 15, you'll see the
name Ellis Marlin and near the top of 16 you can find Gerald Johnson. They're
friends of mine. Tell them you saw me and that I'm fine. They're good guys
and I think you would have liked them.
Thank you, mom and dad, Jack and thank you. This has been a privilege.
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Mike and Xinh Mai at the Saigon Zoo circa 1969 |
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Xinh Mai (left)and her two daughters with
Santa - Vietnam Xinh was one of the An Lac orphans who remained in Vietnam as she was over the age of 10 at the time of Babylift. She and Betty Tisdale have been reunited via "Dateline" at NBC. |