The Vietnam War lasted ten years and with it came almost 1 million orphans — including me, now a resident of West Des Moines and an almost lifelong Iowan.
Pleased to meet you. And a belated welcome to America and Iowa!
As a Vietnam veteran (U.S. Army '69-'70) and uncle to six adopted nieces (four from Cambodia; one from Brazil and one from Ethiopia) I look forward to future installments.
It was always my dream to adopt a child from Vietnam. Sadly, adoption in Vietnam was closed in 2003 and I didn't have an opportunity to adopt a child from another country later on.
However, I have 2 sons and they are the my only biological family members, which is also nice to have!
When the fall of Siagon happened I was home in Iowa and was trying to adjust to a country that for the most part, rejected its own soldiers who really didn't have much to say about where they had been sent or what they would be asked to do in Vietnam. I had spent two years of my young life repairing helicopters simply to keep them flying because they were such an important lifeline to those doing the worst of the fighting. It was disheartening to see it end this way, no one wants to think you invested your time and energy for no good purpose. Now, suddenly, people have finally gotten the notion they did us wrong and want to "Thank us for our service". It makes me cringe, knowing how many millions never got to hear that when it was most needed and have since died. We need to have a foreign policy that takes into consideration what we are doing beyond helping gun merchants get richer and militrary industrial complex more and more powerful. I'm glad Jane got out alive and lucky enough to end up where she did, but I am saddened by the millions of villagers far removed from Siagon who had no chance at all who we left and all the Vietnamese soldiers who died and have had their graves erased simply because they wanted something better. There are few happy endings for most in war, and what we left there continues to kill and leave generations to suffer. It, to me, is a sad story that I had a front row seat in, without so much as the ability to even vote! We can do better than this!
I know not everyone has a happy story to share. I wish all of those years were different, for everyone including US soldiers. No one can erase the horror and terror experienced by so many. The photos of abandoned babies and mothers desperately trying to flee the country with their children and belongings are heartbreaking. I know not all orphans were nearly as fortunate as me. Some were left behind especially those fathered by foreign soldiers. Others were brought to the US or other countries and struggled in their new homes. I am part of an adoptee group and even after all these years, many still grapple with questions because of such a tumultuous start to life.
Leann is a good writer. I think she grew up in Vinton. Her husband grew up in Sioux City and his youngest sister was in my high school class. Leann worked at Mercy Hospital Iowa City at one time. I started there after she moved to CO. A nurse I knew at Mercy also had miracle bablylift son. Last name Yauk. Small world, be on good behavior. I have met Doug at OWR and he did not outgrow his 6 year old TLC ways.
Please review your use of the term 'orphan' because "displaced children" and "unwanted" or "unexpected babies" are not orphans (and most "orphans" have not, in fact, been orphaned). Instead, they have been given the "official" designation in order to make them elligible for sale by way of adoption.
Pleased to meet you. And a belated welcome to America and Iowa!
As a Vietnam veteran (U.S. Army '69-'70) and uncle to six adopted nieces (four from Cambodia; one from Brazil and one from Ethiopia) I look forward to future installments.
Thank you so much for the welcome!
It was always my dream to adopt a child from Vietnam. Sadly, adoption in Vietnam was closed in 2003 and I didn't have an opportunity to adopt a child from another country later on.
However, I have 2 sons and they are the my only biological family members, which is also nice to have!
Some nurses from Iowa were involved with the babylift. Wonder if you were part of that flight? One nurse was LeAnn Thieman. Keep writing.
I am not sure. I have read and enjoyed LeAnn's book.
When the fall of Siagon happened I was home in Iowa and was trying to adjust to a country that for the most part, rejected its own soldiers who really didn't have much to say about where they had been sent or what they would be asked to do in Vietnam. I had spent two years of my young life repairing helicopters simply to keep them flying because they were such an important lifeline to those doing the worst of the fighting. It was disheartening to see it end this way, no one wants to think you invested your time and energy for no good purpose. Now, suddenly, people have finally gotten the notion they did us wrong and want to "Thank us for our service". It makes me cringe, knowing how many millions never got to hear that when it was most needed and have since died. We need to have a foreign policy that takes into consideration what we are doing beyond helping gun merchants get richer and militrary industrial complex more and more powerful. I'm glad Jane got out alive and lucky enough to end up where she did, but I am saddened by the millions of villagers far removed from Siagon who had no chance at all who we left and all the Vietnamese soldiers who died and have had their graves erased simply because they wanted something better. There are few happy endings for most in war, and what we left there continues to kill and leave generations to suffer. It, to me, is a sad story that I had a front row seat in, without so much as the ability to even vote! We can do better than this!
I know not everyone has a happy story to share. I wish all of those years were different, for everyone including US soldiers. No one can erase the horror and terror experienced by so many. The photos of abandoned babies and mothers desperately trying to flee the country with their children and belongings are heartbreaking. I know not all orphans were nearly as fortunate as me. Some were left behind especially those fathered by foreign soldiers. Others were brought to the US or other countries and struggled in their new homes. I am part of an adoptee group and even after all these years, many still grapple with questions because of such a tumultuous start to life.
Thank you for your comments, Steve.
Leann is a good writer. I think she grew up in Vinton. Her husband grew up in Sioux City and his youngest sister was in my high school class. Leann worked at Mercy Hospital Iowa City at one time. I started there after she moved to CO. A nurse I knew at Mercy also had miracle bablylift son. Last name Yauk. Small world, be on good behavior. I have met Doug at OWR and he did not outgrow his 6 year old TLC ways.
A true love story!
Powerful story! Thanks for sharing. And being a member of the collaborative!
Welcome to the Iowa Writers' Collaborative!
Please review your use of the term 'orphan' because "displaced children" and "unwanted" or "unexpected babies" are not orphans (and most "orphans" have not, in fact, been orphaned). Instead, they have been given the "official" designation in order to make them elligible for sale by way of adoption.