On Thursday November 18, 2004, St. Anne’s school, grades 4-8, gathered in our school auditorium for an interesting lesson. Mrs. Lana Noone, who is a Garden City resident, taught us about the Vietnam War. She also taught us about something called the baby-lift. During the Vietnam War in 1975 tens of thousands of families were in great danger. Orphanages were packed with young children who had no parents or guardians. This is how the baby-lift began. President Gerald Ford made an announcement to his country. He stated that the United States would try their hardest to rescue all 2,548 children from Vietnam.

The baby-lift procedure was when the United States rescued some of the young children of Vietnam. Unfortunately, President Ford was only able to rescue children under the age of ten years old. Lana Noone became a part of this wonderful act. She planned on adopting one baby from Vietnam. She wanted to give this child something she had never had before. A warm, loving home with a family who adored her. When Mrs. Noone received her baby, she was very sick. Sadly after being in the hospital, her baby passed away. This was a sad moment, but she died with love. Even though Mrs. Noone’s child passed away, she still stayed a part of the baby-lift. She decided to adopt one more child. This child was sent on the last plane. Many soldiers were also sent on a last helicopter. The signal for this last escape was not a whistle, not a horn, but a Christmas song. This song was called White Christmas. This alerted all American soldiers that the flight home was leaving. All who wanted to leave had to go now. Some soldiers stayed behind for various reasons. After 29 years people are still searching for servicemen.

Mrs. Noone now has a beautiful 29 year old daughter named Jennifer Noen Noone. She also adopted a young boy from Korea. Mrs. Noone now lives a happy life. She will never regret being a part of the baby-lift. It has changed her life forever.