GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Vietnamese American Community of West Michigan will mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and honor President Gerald Ford’s role in welcoming Vietnamese refugees to the United States in the 1970s.
They will hold an event May 1st at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is open to the public.
Steve Ford, the youngest son of former President Jerry Ford and former First Lady Betty Ford, will offer an inside look at his father's humanitarian work.
Here is more information for the VACWM news release:
The event will highlight Ford’s leadership during Operation New Life and Operation Babylift, which helped relocate thousands of Vietnamese children and families. His actions inspired communities nationwide— especially in Grand Rapids—to open their doors to refugees.
The program will feature personal stories reflecting Ford’s lasting impact, with special guests including his son, Steve Ford, and Thuy Williams, an Operation Babylift adoptee. Today, the Vietnamese community in West Michigan continues to thrive, a testament to the compassion sparked by Ford’s 1975 call to action.
The event will feature a series of compelling perspectives, including:
• Steve Ford: The youngest son of President & Mrs. Ford, Steve will offer an inside look at his father’s humanitarian work.
• Thuy Williams’ Personal Story: As a 5-year-old adoptee from Operation Babylift, Williams will share her journey and reflections on the significance of the mission.
• Panel Discussion: Local Vietnamese Americans will offer insight into their experiences and the broader impact Ford’s refugee support had on their lives and the community.
• Cultural Performance: The evening will culminate with a performance by Vietnamese-American singers and dancers, showcasing the rich cultural contributions of their community to the American experience.
“This year marks 50 years since the Fall of Saigon. As the hometown of President Gerald Ford—who urged the nation to welcome Vietnamese refugees—Grand Rapids became a new home for generations,” says Tony Baker, Professor of Sociology at Ferris State University and Community Research Fellow at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “Churches, schools, and neighbors helped build that bridge. Today, we reflect on how home was created here and how West Michigan is richer because of it—the legacy of a policy that gave hope to those who crossed seas and killing fields to start anew.”
“This event marks 50 years since the Fall of Saigon, which led to the Refugee Act and the resettlement of Vietnamese families in West Michigan,” says Le Tran, art teacher and Asian Student Union Advisor at East Kentwood High School, and chair of the West Michigan Asian-American Association. “It's a time to reflect on our journey, honor President Ford's compassionate leadership, and celebrate the resilience and contributions of our community.”
Jennifer Pham, East Kentwood High School graduate, sums up the Vietnamese-American experience for today’s generation: “I won’t remember them through their journey across the sea. Their legacy is the homes they paid off; their legacy is the store my father worked so hard to build; their legacy is my sisters; and I, I am their legacy.”
“With the perspective of a half century,” says Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, “Operation Babylift remains one of President Ford’s finest hours. He knew that America had lost the war but would win the peace. We would win the peace by doing the right thing for our friends and allies in Southeast Asia during a time when utter death and destruction were raining down on them. President Ford’s decision has been vindicated all these decades later by the wonderful and productive Vietnamese-American communities that continue to enrich us all.”
The event runs 6:30 – 9 p.m. on May 9, 2025, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is open to the public. Tickets and additional information are available at our website. The event will also be livestreamed.
“50 Years after Saigon: Vietnamese Stories of a New Home,” will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. It is brought to you in partnership with the The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Vietnamese American Community of West Michigan, Kentwood Public Schools, West Michigan Asian American Association, Pan Am Museum Foundation, Eastern Floral, and Kim Nhung Superstore