Description
The Refugee: Helen Burton
Please allow me to tell you about Helen—that is her American name. In 1959, she was in Viet Nam. I share her story that you might see that very controversial war in a different light.
Her earliest memories were of living in a little grass hut with 7 siblings while her single mother worked in Saigon to support them.
When Helen was 7, her mother remarried and the family moved to Saigon. The following are her memories of the war:
“As a child, I learned to follow directions and be safe during the war. It was a normal part of life. I don’t remember living in fear – Just cautious in all that we did. I remember watching B-52 bombs being dropped at far away distances; being instructed to dress in layers before going to bed at nights when sounds of gun shots were nearby, this is in case we need to flee. Driving between towns between my parents’ 3 homes in three different cities was dangerous after sunset. Being ambushed by Viet Cong, or roads being bombed were often the risk of any distance traveling. The most fearful memories were the Tet offense of 1968. During the Tet celebration, the surprise attacks were fierce. When we rushed back to our home in Saigon, our home was filled with bullets. There were bullets and big rocket holes throughout the house. One of the rockets hit one of the bedrooms.”
Then in 1974, four experienced missionaries with special permission were sent into Viet Nam to teach the Gospel. Not long after, in the midst of the war, Helen’s family was baptized.
By that time the war was getting closer and closer to Saigon. Her father tried every means possible to get the family out of the country, but to no avail. But then, Helen said:
“Finally, one day (April 20th, 1975) I was at church with some of my siblings. The branch president said we had a phone call from my mother. I remember being told, I need to go home and someone will take us to the airport. My parents were already at the airport. [We] rode our bicycles and motorbikes home, said goodbye to my grandmother, not knowing, I will never see again.
We were rushed to the airport by someone. We were taken through a special entrance on the American side of the Tan Son Nhat airport. The constant fear was to be separated from our parents in the chaos and panic stricken crowds. While we were at the airport, it was announced that the President had left the country. He resigned and left Vietnam on April 21, 1975.
A few days later, during one dark night, our family was woken up and rushed quietly in the night. We were put on a bus in total darkness and were asked not to make a sound. The bus was driven in darkness until we got to a runway of some sort. We were asked to run onto the plane in the dark. And run until you hit the wall and sit quietly.
As we ran onto the C-130 planes, there were US army men lined on both sides of the plane for our safety. I found later that the US Army was instructed to shoot if necessary to protect these refugees and get them out. That it was part of the “Black Operation.” An operation of evacuation without permission of the American ambassador.”
The family was flown to the Phillipines, then to Guam, and finally to Camp Pendleton in California. Helen shared this powerful moment riding a bus on a bright, sunny California day:
“The most powerful moving memory for me as a 15 year old was the bus ride from the airport to the refugee camp in Pendleton. With wide bright eyes, my nose was glued to the window of this peaceful, safe, beautiful land of America. I cannot believe my eyes of this new scene. Then I saw cars below with strangers waving their hands and smiling at me. I felt this overwhelming sensation of their warm welcome through the glass windows of their cars. Their simple smiles and waves made me feel so welcomed. It left such an impression on me.”
While at Camp Pendleton, President and Sister Kimball visited them. Helen said:
“I vividly remember his counsel: Look forward and don’t look back at what you lost. Learn the language and assimilate and see what America has to offer you. Work hard and don’t depend on the government to take care of you. Because in doing so, you will lose your freedom again. Sister Camilla Kimball shared her story of being a refugee when she was a young girl. That encouraged me that I could do it too.”
All of that was more than 50 years ago. Helen concluded:
“I am forever grateful for the service of the US soldiers. They fought and provided my country a chance to keep democracy. Even though they were not successful, they did all they could to save and evacuate as many as they could. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese were evacuated and have opportunities to progress and make a good life for ourselves. I am one of those lucky ones.
My sincere thank you to anyone who served and fought in the war. Because of their service, my siblings, me and my children and grandchildren have the lives that we have today. My life today is the result of the dedicated and compassionate service men and women of the US army.”
Source: Helen Burton. Original Remains with the author. (Some edits were made for readability)
