“Operation New Arrivals,” in 1975, at Eglin Air Force Base Vietnamese Refugee Center. Opening scene shows closeup of a clown in costume, standing among some Vietnamese refugee children who are gathered outdoors at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Closeup of two boys sitting on folding metal chairs, eating ice cream popsicles. Many more closeups of children eating their popsicles. Next the children are seen seated in chairs, applauding for some kind of entertainment. Camera then shows the aforementioned clown, in front of the children, shaking hands with some of them. He then fashions some balloons into the shape of a bunny rabbit and gives it to a small child.
Opening scene shows sign at front of some buildings reading:"23rd Air Transportable Hospital, England AFB, LA." ( This sign refers to the home base, England Air Force Base, Louisiana, of the hospital unit providing medical services at the Vietnamese Refugee camp in Eglin AFB, Florida.) Camera pans over to a large olive drab tent. Next, two field ambulances are seen parked in grass next to wood-reinforced canvas tent structures. Several Vietnamese civilians stroll up to the entrance of one and stand there. Partway inside is a woman wearing a traditional Vietnamese conical hat (non la), pulled down over her shoulders. The hat is red in color.
Vietnamese refugee families at Eglin Air Force base in Valparaiso Florida, shortly after the fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War. A visiting youth band (possibly a high school band) plays for a group of refugees gathered. A man directs the band and various band instruments are seen. Vietnamese children seated in chairs listen to the music. Tree in the background. The children appear to be singing a song as they clap along to the music, and then they smile and applaud at the end.
Group of men building temporary barracks for incoming Vietnamese refugees at Eglin Air Force base, soon after the fall of Saigon in the Vietnam War. A man silhouetted against florescent green lights. Men at work at night. They erect a wooden barracks structure. They carry a wooden framework. They hammer the parts in position and carry wooden planks.
Vietnamese refugees at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, near the end of the Vietnam War and soon after the fall of Saigon. A board reads: 'Departure Center Noi Khoi Hanh'. A guard stands nearby. A man stands near a vehicle. A boy and a girl lift a bench. Men engaged in construction work. A man drives a bulldozer at the refugee camp.
Aerial view of temporary encampment for Vietnamese refugees at Eglin Air Force base in Valparaiso, Florida. View of the tents and barracks buildings, recreation areas, and roads in the camp, as seen in May 1975, soon after the fall of Saigon, near the end of the Vietnam War.
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