There are stories that inspire us to believe in the human spirit, to believe that we can overcome barriers and reach great heights. One story that was shared with me over 20 years ago has stuck with me through the years. Although I heard it many times, it still brings a sense of compassion and hope each time I hear it. On our April 25th show, Al Topping shared his story of the Last Pan Am Flight out of Saigon 40 years ago. If you missed it click the links below. And, get ready to be inspired.

      1. 4-25-14-1-Pan-Am-Vietnam
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Segment One – Al Topping – Last Flight Out of Saigon

      2. 4-25-14-2-Pan-Am-Vietnam
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Segment Two – Al Topping – Last Flight Out of Saigon

      3. 4-25-15-3-Pan-Am-Vietnam
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Segment Three – Al Topping – Last Flight Out of Saigon

      4. 2-25-15-4-Pan-Am-Vietnam
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Segment Four – Rebecca Sprecher – Operation Baby Lift

 

 

Destination: History and Travel Connect – 40 Years After the Last Pan Am Flight Out of Saigon, Vietnam – April 25, 2015

North Georgia’s News Talk AM 550 and FM 102.9 WDUN

From 1-2pm est

Through the years we have heard the reports about the fall of Saigon. How America withdrew and many news photos have captured the desperation and panic as the city was crumbling. There is a story that tells of one manager and his heroic act to evacuate his staff and their families. His personal story is one of the human spirit and one you will find heart warming.

Join us on Saturday, April 25, from 1-2pm as Allan Topping shares this journey home. In 1975 he was the Pan Am station manager at the Saigon airport. His previous extensive airline experience prepared him for this role. He worked in sales, as a transportation specialist, customer service and director of Passenger sales and services – an many more positions. But the highlight of Al’s aviation career occurred 40 years ago in 1975. Just six days before the North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon, he was responsible for successfully arranging and executing the evacuation of Pan Am’s employees and their families on the final Pan Am departure from South Vietnam. His story was made into a movie called “Last Flight Out.” Al was portrayed by renown actor James Earl Jones.

Here’s a quick read about his story. http://www.panam.org/global-era/423-saigon-farewell-1976

During the fall of South Vietnam, Operation Baby Lift was created to evacuate 100’s and thousands of babies to the US and Canada to be adopted and place with families, away from their war torn home. Rebecca Sprecher will share the inside story of the flights which brought the babies from Saigon to Guam and finally reaching US soil.

Rebecca was a stewardess with Pan American World Airways and flew out of New York and Honolulu for six years. She and her co-author Paul Helfrich have written a book about their flying career. The name tells it all, Flying: A Novel. It’s all about their lives as stewardesses, flying around the world with a front seat (jump seat) to history.

Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flying-a-novel/172472602830971?sk=timeline

 

 

 

Music during the last segment is by Jared Rehberg, a Vietnamese adoptee, who has written songs reflecting on his experiences living in America and feelings for his home county.

Check out his website for more of his music and his story.

www.jaredrehberg.com

 

 

That’s Saturday from 1-2pm on North Georgia’s Newstalk, WDUN AM550 or FM102.9.

You can listen on-line at this link www.wdun.com and click listen live

 

This show is brought to you by:

Sapelo Island Birdhouses

 

 

The post Destination: Travel And History Connect – 40th Anniversary of the Last Pan Am Flight From Saigon -April 25, 2015 appeared first on Travel With Annita.