WELCOME TO THE LOS VETERANS OF AMERICA INSTITUTE (LVAI)
The Lao Veterans of America, Inc. (LVA), like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), represents veterans who served the United States honorably. It is the largest veteran organization of its kind in the United States and includes tens of thousands Hmong and Lao veterans and their families who played an historic role in the U.S. covert war in Laos during the Vietnam War era.
Members of Congress as well as current and former U.S. military and intelligence officials have honored the LVA and its work. Members of the LVA have been awarded the U.S. medal. Moreover, the LVA has received bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for its efforts. It has been singled out with Congressional awards citations as well as being honored in Congressional Record statements and in various important Congressional letters. The LVA has also received state-level and municipal recognitions across the United States.
LAO VETERANS CENTER PROJECT
BY LTC. WANGYEE VANG, National President
PLEASE SEND ALL TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS FOR NEW FRESNO CALIFORNIA USA
LAO VETERANS MUSEUM TO;
LAO VETERANS OF AMERICA
711 MINNEWAWA AVE.
FRESNO-CALIFORNIA-93727-USA
Copyright December 26, 1998 Lao Veterans of America
The President’s Message
Dear fellow veterans, we all have sacrificed with our blood for our country and our allies from the depth of our hearts. But we still lack on thing; does any one care enough our history to pass it to our youngsters of the new generation to learn. Does the Lao government record it? The Laotian government never paid attention to what we had done for our lovely country. We have done so much for our country. Let’s do something for our history by ourselves. However, it is very important for to unite our idea, ourselves, our hearts along with our financial power together to construct a Lao Veterans Center where from time to time, we can practice our own culture in our traditional way of life. At least, we will get together in this honorable center to recognize each other and pay tribute to our fallen parents, brothers and sisters, and our American advisors who shed their blood for world freedom and human basic liberty. These fallen people’s name shall engrave in this center where our young generations will come there to learn our valuable contribution to the world’s freedom and liberty. The most important issue in the center is that all donor's name who contribute financial support to make this Lao Veterans Center possible will be engraved on the veterans' donor metal or granite plaque and displaced is all an open space. This is our own history; we must do it by ourselves. I want to mention to all of you that:
First, we have made this organization possible to serve all our fellow veterans who are scattered throughout the world after the Soviet backed North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao communist took over Laos in 1975.
Second, we have successfully published our first historical book, and we will continue to publish other historical books in the near future.
Third, we have successfully gained nationally recognition for our honorable roles when we served U.S. National Security Interests during the Vietnam War. All of us were presented the Vietnam Service medal on May 12, 1996 at the Fresno State University Bulldog Stadium; Vietnam Veterans National, Vietnam Campaign and Purple Heart for our veterans and wounded soldiers respectively on May 14, 1997 and 1998 at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C.
Fourth, the U.S. historians also recognized us and military officially authorized placing a Granite Plaque at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. on May 15, 1997. Plaque was dedicated to the U.S. Secret Army in the Kingdom of Laos from 1961 to 1973. This plaque was placed in memory of our fallen parents, brothers and sisters, and our American advisors who served freedom's cause in Southeast Asia. Their patriotic valor and loyalty in the defense of liberty and democracy will never be forgotten. This is the first time in thousand years of our history that we are highly recognized where our own writing character appeared to the eyes of the world in a most important and historic place.
Fifth, we have been working with Congress to keep our veterans' SSI benefits by asking Congress to support our efforts to restore these benefits to our veterans who served in the U.S. Secret Army in Laos during the Vietnam War. Congress introduced HR 1048 as an amendment to Welfare Reform bill HR 3734 to restore these SSI benefits to veterans and other legal immigrants. Congress also introduced HR 365 to restore Food Stamps for Hmong and Lao veterans for those who used to receive Food Stamps.
Sixth, now its time for us to move to another step where our community and the community at large could benefit with the Lao Veterans Center. Once this center is built it will be the first place for the Laotian (Hmong, Lao and other ethnic Lao) people in the United States of America to enjoy their life. With this, the young generation will be proud to be part of the American society.
The committee generates this project calls:
LAO VETERANS CENTER GOVERNING BOARD or BOARD OF TRUSTEE. It consists of qualified Lao Veterans of America Board and Advisory Committee Members and the Chairman of each State Chapter. All other chapters are members of the committee. Lao Veterans Center Governing Board will setup a Trust Account with any bank that it feels safe.
Therefore, I appeal to all of you to sacrifice the seed money necessary to make the dream of Lao Veterans Center possible.
"Where there is endowment there is success"
"We better preserve our history and promote our future"
Again, thank you to all of you for your past support and future cooperation for our common interests.
Happy New Year 1999
26 December 1998
Ltc Wangyee Vang, National President
LAO VETERANS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 1959 the Vietnamese Communist Party began an illegal campaign to use the territory of Laos as part of an effort to conquer Vietnam and imposed Communist rule on the peoples of Laos, against their aspirations and desires. The United States entered into the Vietnam War in 1960. It had directly affected on the Lao/Hmong who lived a peaceful life in Laos, Southeast Asia. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was first used as North Vietnam's staging area to attack South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The Laotian people were recruited and funded by the U.S. C.I.A. to serve as soldiers... in defense of Freedom and Democracy... alongside with U.S. The "Secret War" began in 1960, and lasted until May 1975.
THE U.S. "SECRET ARMY" IN LAOS
From 1961 to 1975, the Hmong shouldered the burden of greatest responsibility for carrying out the U.S. war effort in Laos. Secret, classified studies conducted by the defense policy think-tank RAND, for the Department of Defense (DOD) Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) since renamed "DARPAR" have recently been declassified. Organizing and Managing Unconventional War in Laos, 1962-1970, published in 1972, outlines the special case history of the Hmong tribal people. This, and other RAND/DOD/ARPA studies reveal the critical role the Hmong played in support of U.S. planned clandestine operations and military activities in Laos, and how this force was specially created by the United States government. The special role played by the Hmong in the U.S. "Secret Army" is important and relative to the legislative initiative proposed in the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 1997 (HR 371). Hmong of all ages men, women and children fought and died alongside U.S. covert operatives and military personnel in units recruited, organized, trained, funded, and paid by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), U.S. Air Force and others agencies.
|
"We cannot let Laos fall to the Communists even if we have to fight."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, December 31, 1960.
"We cannot let Laos fall to the Communists even if we have to fight."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, December 31, 1960.
"About 9,000 Hmong tribesmen have been equipped for guerrilla operations, which they are now conducting with considerable effectiveness in Communist-dominated territory in Laos... As men leave food-raising duties to serve as guerrillas, a problem is growing over the care and feeding of non-combat Hmong. The CIA has given some rice and clothing to relieve this problem."
Memo from Brig. General Edward Landsdale, July 1961. Published in the Pentagon Papers.
"The problem of Laos is the refusal of the communist forces to honor the Geneva Accords."
President Lyndon B. Johnson, January 18, 1965.
"A measure of the heroism and effectiveness of the Hmong struggle can be seen in the fact that the North Vietnamese forces arrayed against them increased over the years from the original 7,000 to 70,000, including several of North Vietnam's best divisions. The battle became increasingly conventional."
Ambassador William Colby, former CIA Director, Congressional Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Asia and The Pacific, April 26, 1994.
"We have been providing logistical support and some training for the neutralist government in order to avoid Laos falling under communist domination. As far as American manpower in Laos is concerned, no American manpower is there at the present time on a combat basis... Laos relates very much to Vietnam because the Ho Chi Minh Trail runs through Laos. It is necessary, under those circumstances, that the United States takes cognizance of that, and we do have air reconnaissance. We do have, perhaps, some other activities. I won't discuss those other activities at this time."
President Richard Nixon, (Press conference comments) September 26, 1960.
The most conservative estimated number that during the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, 35,000 to 40,000 young brave Hmong were killed in combat; 50,000 to 58,000 were wounded; and 2,500 to 3,000 were missing in action. When the United States withdrew from Southeast Asia, genocide followed the Hmong--thousands of Hmong were murdered by the communists when they tried to flee to neighboring Thailand.
"Everyone of them that died (Hmong), that was an American back home that didn't die, or one that was injured that wasn't injured. Somebody in nearly every Hmong family was either fighting or died from fighting... They became refugees because we (United States Government)... encouraged them to fight for us. I promised them myself: "Have no fear, we will take care of you"."
Edgar Buell, senior U.S.AID/CIA official working with the Hmong "Secret Army" During the war years, quoted on 60 minutes, March 4, 1979.
Some source said: There was about 100,000 North Vietnamese soldiers fought in Laos: 70,000 of this number including several of North Vietnam's best divisions fought directly against the Hmong soldiers, and about 30,000 were fighting with the U.S. SOF and Hmong soldiers along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
About April 1975, the United States withdrew its troops from Indochina. During May 12-14, 1975, the CIA/Air America evacuated about 2,500 Hmong officers and their families from the secret base at Long Cheng in Laos (Headquarters of General Vang Pao--the combined base for the Hmong, CIA, Air America, and U.S. Air Force "Ravens"). They were evacuated to the U.S. former air base in Namphong, Khonekene, Thailand. The rest of the Secret Army (Special Guerrilla Units {SGU} and other special units) who were left behind began to walk to the Mekong River and attempted to cross into Thailand. The Communists killed thousands of these soldiers and their families. During the evacuation, and in subsequent years, thousands of Hmong and Lao veterans and their families were killed by communists North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao security forces. Thousand died of starvation as they fled toward the security and freedom on the other shore of the Mekong River. Thousands drowned in the river before reaching the Thai border. Even today, despite official denials at senior levels of the Pathet Lao government, the communist regime in Laos continues to persecute and discriminate against Hmong because of their role in the U.S. Secret Army.
The Vietnam War ended in 1975, genocide and persecution of the Hmong followed. This Stalinist regime arrested King, Queen, Crown Prince, members of the Royal Lao Family, and its high ranking officials in the Royal Lao government about 46,000 to put in the re-education camps, and also used chemical warfare "Yellow Rain" to eliminate members of the U.S. Secret Army and their families. From the period of 1975 to 1980, the Stalinist regime in Laos killed about 30,000 Hmong men, women, and children in the former 2nd Military Region of Laos where the major of the CIA operations took place, especially, around the foothills of Phou Bia Mountain. This is the Lao People's Democratic Republic's (LPDR) "ethnic cleansing" policy against the Hmong people. Today, LPDR government still continues systematically to persecute the Hmong people in that part of the world.
In addition to a devastating loss of life, the war resulted in a loss of our homeland, and we had to become countryless people and political refugees in a third country such America, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, Japan, and Newzeland.
Later in 1975, the Hmong and Lao soldiers and families began to take refuges in the United States. Their exodus continues to the present period. Many of those are still separated from their families and are finding reunification difficult. This, they have organized "Lao Veterans of America" as a Non-Profit organization. Its home office is in Fresno, California where it will be a central communication to all Lao veterans, which scattered through out the world.
The Lao Veterans of America, Inc. (LVA), like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), represents veterans who served the United States honorably. It is among the largest veteran organizations of its kind in the United States and includes tens of thousands of Hmong and Lao veterans and their families who played a key role in the U.S. covert war in Laos during the Vietnam War. It is a non-profit corporation--with chapters organized throughout the United States in states such Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. We also have members in Australia, Canada, and France. The LVA membership includes significant numbers of women who served in combat and combat support roles.
Members of Congress as well as current and former U.S. military and intelligence officials have honored the LVA and its work. Members of the LVA have been awarded the U.S. Vietnam Service, Vietnam Veterans National, Vietnam Campaign, and Purple Heart medals. The LVA has received bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for its efforts. It has been singled out with Congressional awards and citations as well as being honored in Congressional Records statements and in Congressional letters. The LVA also has received state and community recognition. California, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have recently passed a Joint Resolution and Proclamation in recognition of Hmong and Lao veterans and asked the Congress and President of the United States to grant those veterans and their families full U.S. citizenship. During recent years, former CIA Director William Colby and Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt have also cited the Hmong and Lao veterans--and their leadership--in Congressional Hearing testimony. LVA also have over twenty (20) U.S. veterans group writing letters of support to the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act.
In recent years, with the declassification of secret information in U.S. intelligence and Defense Department files, military histories of the Hmong veteran's service have finally appeared in books. Examples of such books are: Tragic Mountains, The Americans and the Secret Wars for Laos, 1942-1992, by Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt; War in Laos 1954-1975, by Kenneth Conboy; The War in Laos 1960-75, by Kenneth Conboy; Shadow War: The CIA's Secret War in Laos, by Kenneth Conboy and James Morrison; and Across the Mekong, by Charles O. Davis.
WELCOME TO THE LOS VETERANS OF AMERICA INSTITUTE (LVAI)
The Lao Veterans of America, Inc. (LVA), like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), represents veterans who served the United States honorably. It is the largest veteran organization of its kind in the United States and includes tens of thousands Hmong and Lao veterans and their families who played an historic role in the U.S. covert war in Laos during the Vietnam War era.
Members of Congress as well as current and former U.S. military and intelligence officials have honored the LVA and its work. Members of the LVA have been awarded the U.S. medal. Moreover, the LVA has received bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for its efforts. It has been singled out with Congressional awards citations as well as being honored in Congressional Record statements and in various important Congressional letters. The LVA has also received state-level and municipal recognitions across the United States.
WELCOME TO
The Lao Veterans of America
LAO VETERANS CENTER PROJECT
BY LTC. WANGYEE VANG, National President
PLEASE SEND ALL TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS FOR NEW FRESNO CALIFORNIA USA
LAO VETERANS MUSEUM TO;
LAO VETERANS OF AMERICA
711 MINNEWAWA AVE.
FRESNO-CALIFORNIA-93727-USA
.jpg)