Veterans Voice: Laotian who served as guerrilla for US now a monk in Smithfield providencejournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from providencejournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Evers signed the bill Friday morning at the state Capitol.
Thai Vang of Eau Claire served in the U.S. Army during the Secret War in Laos, and he said this bill is a step in the right direction toward acknowledging Hmong soldiers contributions.
Vang also showed us one of the scars he received from a bullet while fighting in the Special Guerrilla Units, a CIA-sponsored secret operation.
Historians say the Secret War relied on Hmong soldiers to prevent the threat of communism from spreading deeper into Southeast Asia. I understand that many of the American people don t know the Secret War. They know about the Vietnam War, but they don t know about the Secret War in Laos. [About the bill] I m very happy and thank you to the governor for remembering us, Vang said.
Central Valley Congressman Jim Costa Introduces Legislation to Honor Lao, Hmong SGU Veterans Who Fought Alongside American Soldiers During Vietnam War Published: Thursday, 06 May 2021 05:59
May 6, 2021 - FRESNO - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), re-introduced H.R. 2969, the Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) Service Recognition Expansion Act, bipartisan legislation that expands eligibility for interment in national cemeteries to all Hmong and
Lao citizens who fought in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.
“It s far past time these brave men and women receive the recognition they are due” said Rep. Costa
. “They risked their lives to fight with American soldiers during a very difficult war and deserve the choice to be laid to rest beside their brothers in arms. To ignore their service and sacrifice to our great nation is counter to everything we believe we owe to our Veterans. This is the right and fair thing to do.”