HOLMDEL, N.J. -- On Saturday, April 25, 2015, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, in conjunction with Vietnam Babylift, will honor the 40th Anniversary of Operation Babylift from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation's Vietnam Era Museum located at 1 Memorial Lane in Holmdel, N.J. The free event is open to the general public. The Vietnam Babylift, or “Operation Babylift,” was a humanitarian effort that took place in April 1975, when over 2,547 babies, toddlers and children under the age of 10 were evacuated from Vietnam to the United States, Canada and several European countries. Special guests include individuals from around the globe who participated in and had their lives changed by Operation Babylift.
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Jen Noone and Brian J. Harms, May, 1975
(Credit: USAF photographer) |
There will also be an open forum, Q & A, Benediction, art and artifacts exhibit, showing of docu-films, a book signing and reception. Visit www.njvvmf.org for a timeline of the day's activities.
The play “Children of the April Rain” is based on oral histories and memoirs of the Fall of Saigon. It reenacts the events that took place in April 1975 by the heroes involved in Operation Babylift. The play is co-authored by several original Babylift participants, including William Bryant Doty, Lana Mae Noone and LeAnn Thieman.

The event organizer Lana Mae Noone and her husband Byron adopted an Operation Babylift baby named Heather who died just a month after her arrival to the United States due to illness. The night before her death, Noone made a promise to her that Operation Babylift would not be forgotten. Even as they mourned, the Noones took in another child —the very last baby taken from Vietnam, and the very last baby up for adoption. Today, their daughter Jennifer Nguyen Noone is 40 years old. Lana and her daughter Jennifer appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), “Searching For” on April 18, 2011. The program shared Jennifer's journey and also paid tribute to the Americans who took part in the humanitarian Operation Babylift.
“I am honored to coordinate the Vietnam Babylift 40th Anniversary Event at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial,” says Lana Noone, Operation Babylift 40th Anniversary Event Coordinator. “The Memorial has been an outstanding venue for previous Babylift Programs and I am very grateful for the continued support on this momentous 40th Anniversary and play performance.”
For more information on the Vietnam Babylift, visit www.vietnambabylift.org. For more information on the 40th Anniversary Operation Babylift event and the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation, visit www.njvvmf.org.
About New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation offers a meaningful and engaging experience that recognizes the sacrifice, courage and valor of Vietnam Veterans and encourages and fosters a thorough understanding of the Vietnam Era including the political, historical, social, cultural and military aspects, which affected the United States, and especially New Jersey. To support the Foundation, visit www.njvvmf.org.
Timeline of the Day’s Events
- 10-10:30: Opening Remarks, Meditation Garden
- VVA "Liberty Bell" Chapter 21-Gun Salute and Tribute Plaque Gifting with C-5A Casualties Name Reading
- 10:45-12:15- readings from “Children of the April Rain” followed by author and actor meet and greet
- 1:00-3:00-Speakers Panel and slide presentation 3:00-3:30-Q & A Panel and Benediction
- 3:30- Continuation of meet and greet
- All Day: Book Signings and author meet and greet in lobby
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