LeAnn Thieman

Motivational Speaker,  Author, Nurse

Babylift Photos

Operation Babylift

replay President Ford sound bite

Adrift in the Storms

Adrift in the Storms is the true story of one of the children rescued during Operation Babylift.

Read more about it

  25th Babylift Anniversary    Reunites LeAnn and Mitch  With Babylift Team

The 25th anniversary reunion of Operation Babylift held in Estes Park, Colorado in the summer of 2000, reunited volunteers, adoptees, and adoptive families. Among those reunited for the first time since 1975 were the principle characters in LeAnn's  book, This Must Be My Brother. Pictured above are (left to right) Thuy, Sister Therese, Mitch, Ross, Cherie, Carol and LeAnn.
   Cherie Clark traveled from Vietnam where she has lived and worked again since 1988.

LeAnn Meets President Ford

In 1975 LeAnn was greeted in Vietnam with, "Have you  heard the news? President Ford has okayed Operation Babylift!"       
In 2000, LeAnn was greeted by President Ford himself. When he heard she was speaking in his summer hometown, he asked to meet her.

During their visit he said, "The fall of Saigon was the saddest day of my life." As they talked, LeAnn shared with him details of one of the few good things to come from the Vietnam tragedy - the rescue of 3000 children. She gave him a copy of her book, This Must be My Brother, telling the story of Operation Babylift and how in the midst of the chaos, a baby boy crawled into her arms and heart.

The President smiled to receive a photo of her grown son, Mitch, and another photo of a 25th Operation Babylift reunion. President Ford introduced LeAnn at the Vail conference, then stayed for her keynote address. During their time together, LeAnn shared with him the joy his courageous decision brought, not only to the adoptive families, but to this nation.

April 2000, LeAnn attended another 25th anniversary reunion of Operation Babylift. This photo was taken at the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC.
[Home] [Speaker] [Author] [Operation Babylift] [Babylift Reunions & Photos] [Free E-zine] [Online Shopping] [Media Room] [Contact Us]

LeAnn@LeAnnThieman.com