Help Preserve the Operation Babylift Memorial Altar -Vietnam

Who is fundraising:

My name is Steve George and I started a project called Adoptive Threads to help raise awareness for adoptees' and orphans' needs. As an adoptee from Vietnam, I grew up in Laramie, Wyoming, and recently had the opportunity to gather with many other Vietnamese adoptees from all over the world. On April 4th, 2025, we were able to pay tribute and remembrance to those who lost their lives in Operation Babylift, including the woman who brought me to the U.S.

This fundraising effort is in collaboration with other adoptees close to the issue and on the ground in Vietnam.

A brief history: Operation Babylift was the name given to the mass evacuation of infants and children from South Vietnam toward the end of the war in April of 1975. Over 3,000 babies and children were flown to Western countries in Europe and North America (including Australia, France, Germany, Canada, and the United States). Many service organizations such as Friends for All Children (FFAC) and Friends of Children of Vietnam (FCVN) took part in the evacuation.

Plane Crash:

On April 4th, 1975, a C-5A Galaxy experienced an explosion 12 minutes after take-off from Tan Son Nhut Airport. Out of the wreckage, 175 people survived and 138 people were killed, including 78 children and 35 Saigon personnel.

Why we are fundraising:

Our goal is to enhance and maintain the Operation Babylift Memorial Altar by putting the names of the 138 people killed in the plane crash. The piece of the plane used to be in an open rice field, but over the years, new development and buildings have taken over. A local family (Mr. Dang) had a piece of the plane in their yard and has preserved the original location by building an altar on top of it to pay tribute to the lives lost. He has also been gracious by allowing all those effected to pay tribute. Thus, this enhancement will help memorialize and honor all those involved for another 50 years.

Why it is important to us as a community:

The 50th Anniversary of Operation Babylift has brought adoptees families, service members and caretakers from all over the world to pay respects to the lives lost in this movement. Some of us got out before the crash, while others are survivors from the plane wreck itself. Yet others were adopted after the fall of Saigon but we still all experienced the adoption movement together. The physical piece of the plane in District 12 provides a meaningful place to connect on the crash anniversary.

Personal Note:

Thank you to everyone who had a part in this humanitarian effort to save babies in Vietnam.

As Vietnamese adoptees, Operation Babylift is forever part of our story.

The 50th Anniversary brought us closer together as brothers and sisters and forged deep connections with each other and our community. Through grass roots efforts, we have the opportunity to give back to Mr. Dang and help maintain and enhance the Memorial Altar on his land so that it can be preserved and shared for another 50 years.

Since 2010, Mr. Dang and his family have been gracious by opening his doors allowing all those effected by the Operation Babylift movement to honor those lost and help adoptees & families find their roots.

To help in this effort, we’ve created remembrance merchandise, with 100% of proceeds going to help maintain and enhance the altar. We would like to honor all those lost by putting their names on the memorial altar itself.

To all my brothers and sisters & wonderful people, if you could please share this post with those interested, I would greatly appreciate it!

Please note: all sales from the entire site will benefit the Operation Babylift Altar.

Shop + support here: Adoptive Threads

Not interested in merchandise? Please feel free to donate here and 100% of funds will go to the Operation Babylift Altar.

Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you!

Aloha,

Steve George