50 years ago, Hmong-Lao veterans and Hmong families fled their homeland to Thailand, eventually resettling in the U.S. as result of the Vietnam War ending. Wednesday afternoon, Hmong-Lao Veterans of America Chapter 8 and the Hmong Culture and Community Center of La Crosse held a ceremony recognizing a half-century of Hmong Lao veterans and Hmong culture in the United States.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – 50 years ago, Hmong-Lao veterans and Hmong families fled their homeland to Thailand, eventually resettling in the U.S. as result of the Vietnam War ending.
Wednesday afternoon, Hmong-Lao Veterans of America Chapter 8 and the Hmong Culture and Community Center of La Crosse held a ceremony recognizing a half-century of Hmong Lao veterans and Hmong culture in the United States.
“We want to celebrate to give our legacy, so the younger generation can learn and hear and can follow their father, their brother, their grandparents. Our history and where we came from,” Event Coordinator Chao Vang said.
Hmong-Lao soldiers fought alongside many U.S. soldiers providing intelligence, disrupting communication and supply lines of the North Vietnamese. They also tended to injured American soldiers. Hmong Veteran Chia Vang says serving is a memory that lives with him to this day.
“Back in 1967, I was 15 years old and was serving the secret war; but after the United States withdrew its troops, I was not able to get to the air-lift, so I had to escape to the jungle and later on escape to Thailand and came here in 1979.”
Wisconsin is home to the third largest Hmong population in the United States. More than 58,000 Hmong people live in Wisconsin with La Crosse County being one of the higher populated counties according to data from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
“No matter who you are—whether you live in La Crosse, Wisconsin or the United States—if you see Hmong people, we are the same people like anybody else,” said Chao Vang. “We believe this country is our country, and we’ll do our best as citizens to respect this country.”
Hmong food and traditions took place while local leaders and state representatives shared their appreciation toward these American allies.
In observance of Hmong Lao Veterans Day, Governor Tony Evers ordered flags be flown at half-staff.
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