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LeAnn’s Story
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It was 1975, Saigon was falling to the communists, and LeAnn Thieman was “accidentally” caught up in the Vietnam Orphan Airlift. Incredibly, in the midst of the chaos, a baby boy crawled into her arms, heart and family.
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Twenty years later, LeAnn’s first book, This Must Be My Brother, detailed her daring adventure of helping to rescue 300 babies in Operation Babylift. An ordinary person, she struggled through extraordinary circumstances and found the courage to succeed.
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Adrift in the Storms
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Adrift in the Storms is the true story of one of the children rescued during Operation Babylift - written by LeAnn and published in December 2002.
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25th Babylift Anniversary
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Reunites LeAnn and Mitch With Babylift Team
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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.
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LeAnn Meets President Ford
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replay President Ford sound bite
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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.
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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.
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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.
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