by Admin and Richard Turner, Contributing Editor
© SaigonKidsAmericanCommunitySchool.Com
Bob Layson (1959-61)
April 1959 somewhere over Southeast Asia on a Pam Am flight. Destination Saigon, Vietnam. The flight crew announced over the P.A. system we would be landing in Saigon in about 1 hour. I left the lounge area where I’d been playing cards with one of the stewardess’s for the past couple hours. As I settled into my seat, my thoughts drifted back over the past few months, and how my life had suddenly changed. How I was destined for a place yet unheard of by the world.
It seemed as only yesterday that I arrived in Falls Church, Virginia, from Hawaii. Dad had been transferred to Washington. We arrived in the fall of 1958 a week before school started. I enrolled in Falls Church High School and started my usual routine of ‘fitting in’ at a new school. This was the 18th school I had attended, so by now I had mastered the art of fitting in. I tried out for the varsity football team, and made it. Then the gods blessed me during the 2nd game of the season. The score was tied with 4 minutes on the clock. I intercepted a pass on the opposing teams 17-yard line, and ran an 83-yard touch down. We won the game. And, I won – my popularity went straight up – I ‘fit in’ now.
In mid January 1959 I started thinking about being able to get my drivers license in April when I turned 16 years old. Then I decided to build a hot rod.
I bought an old Model A from a farmer out near Harpers Ferry, Virginia. I got a used engine and transmission from a junkyard. Then started building my dream hot rod after school and on weekends.
Then one evening in late February while eating dinner, my Dad looks at mom and I, and casually says, “How would you like to go to Indochina?” Needless to say we were both a bit stunned, babbling things like “What is it?” “Where is it?” “Why?” “We just got here.” Dad explained he had accepted an assignment with the State Department to a post in Saigon, Vietnam. We’d be departing within 6 weeks.
That night I couldn’t get to sleep, as all I kept thinking about was – here we go again. I’ve finally gotten some nice friendships going and gotten settled in at school. I’m just a couple months away from finally being able to get my drivers license. I’ll have my hot rod finished in a few more months. And, now I have to leave everybody and everything behind – again – and start all over half way around the world.
The next morning on the way to school I broke the news to my girl friend – ahh puppy love, how sweet it was – she was in tears. After that we spent every minute we could together, right up until I stepped on the plane at the airport.
I spent the next few days at school letting my teachers and friends know I was leaving. Many of my teachers had never heard of Vietnam and had to look it up.
We went though the State Department orientation programs and prepared for departure. We departed in late March, much earlier then originally anticipated.
We stopped in the Midwest to visit with family for a few days, then traveled on to spend a few days in San Francisco, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where we boarded the plane for the 13 hour flight to Saigon.
The Captain announced over the P.A. system we were beginning our descent and to prepare for landing. The flight crew went about collecting glasses, making sure seats were in the upright position and everyone had their seat belts fastened.
I looked out the window taking in my first view of Vietnam as the plane touched down and we taxied to the gate.
As I was about to step off the plane, the two stewardesses who had been servicing the first class cabin during our flight stopped me – each gave me a kiss on the cheek, hugged me an wished me a Happy Birthday – today was my 16th birthday.
An official State Department greeting party met us at the airport then took us by limo to the Guest House where we’d live until our permanent housing was arranged.
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