Jimmie H. Butler
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Photos from Lao Hmong Recognition Day

 

National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day

22 July

Yesterday I attended ceremonies for the National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day in Golden, Colorado .  The program started about 10 a.m. and lasted until about 2:30 .  The featured speaker was Raven 25, Craig W. Duehring, currently the DoD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (Reserve Affairs), who flew in from Washington . Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo also addressed the group as he had taken up the cause and gotten H. Con. Resolution 88 through the House on November 13, 2001 to set up this annual recognition day on 22 July. (I’ll try to remember to copy in the resolution below.)  ACA rep Charlie Jones was in from Florida ; Raven Thomas Palmer was in from California ; I talked to a Hmong soldier in from North Carolina , so many people came from a distance.

A few highlights:

Younger Hmong in colorful traditional dress danced, played Hmong instruments, and gave short demonstrations of life in the mountains of Laos .  Later when they were distributing water to the honored guest area, the bottles were carried in the wicker basket one of the women had on her back as part of the traditional dress.  I’ll try to get some pictures posted on my website.

Approximately 200 Hmong dressed in fatigues stood in ranks for most of 3 hours. Near the end of the ceremony, they were awarded a medal in recognition for their service.  Among the group were six surviving members of the 1,000 trained for airborne ops.  Secretary Duehring and some retired USAF generals pinned on the medals.  Since the medals weren’t the normal clip-ons for ceremonial presentations, that took a little while and probably ended up with a pin-prick or two in the fingers of the dignitaries.  A Retired Army Sergeant Major had obviously drilled them and an honor guard, but the concept of right face and left face was still in progress.  At one point the order of about face resulted in what seemed like many guys spinning in more than two directions and was heartily enjoyed by most in attendance, probably to Sergeant Love’s chagrin.  Made me think of the old days in 1959.

A very dynamic Lao named Yang Chee is President & CEO of the Lao-Hmong American Coalition.  He called me on Wednesday to invite me.  During that conversation I mentioned that I had a list of over 700 American who died in Laos during the Vietnam War.  He wanted me to fax a copy, but I never received his fax, so I carried a copy with me.  During the ceremony I passed the 14 pages to him, and a little later B/G Sal Villano, USAF, Retired, who served as the American Master of Ceremonies, held up the list and announced the he had the names of the Americans who had died fighting alongside the Hmong (That wasn’t exactly a correct interpretation, but they died as allies of the Hmong in the struggle to rid Laos of the North Vietnamese invaders.)  After the ceremony, I spoke briefly with General Villano and told him where the list came from and of our experience on the 13th reading the 1,600 names.  He rubbed his fingers together and said something like You know, I had a funny feeling as I held those pages of names.  Funny probably wasn’t his word, but he indicated that having those names in his hands had had special meaning for him. 

When I showed Yang Chee pictures of our flood relief effort in Vang Viang, he said he’d taught college in Vang Viang.  I’m not sure what level college would represent in that context, but the TLCB delivered rice in the home territory of some of these folks.

I sat behind a congressional candidate for Colorado ’s new district after the 2000 census, and I educated him a bit about the Vietnam War.  I asked him if he remembered details about Iran-Contra.  He did.  I asked if he remembered General Secord.  He did.  I pointed to the soldiers on the field and told him that these men and the Hmong were a big part of why General Secord took extraordinary measures against the wishes of some Congressmen to try to support the American allies in Central America .  I told the candidate that General Secord was a young major working with the Laotians and had seen America back down on their promises, and the general was trying to keep us from doing that again in Central America .  The candidate understood and agreed that America should live up to the commitments it makes to allies who fight on behalf of the cause of freedom.  I had a couple of chats with his wife and I expressed my hope that her husband wouldn’t be seduced by the dark side if he makes it to Washington , D.C.   She felt confident that he wouldn’t.

Three Hmong members of the US Army were present.  Secretary Duehring wanted to have his picture taken with them, so I took three with my digital camera.  I also took several during the pinning ceremony and last night I sent 15 jpg files to him at his Pentagon office.  Afterward he had another commitment at some reserve doctors meeting before returning for the dinner the Laotians were putting on last night. I asked him if I might speak to him a moment and told him that I (didn’t represent it as a TLCB effort) was going to be working on trying to extend the eligibility period for the Vietnam Service Medal beyond March 1973.  I told him that since we still had people dying through May 1975, the earlier date didn’t make much sense.  He agreed.  I told him that some day he might see something in DoD on this effort and asked him if he would support the extension if he came across it.  He said he would.  I will follow up with him on the pictures and I am doing some research that shows the Service Medals for WWII and Korea didn’t cut off so quickly.  Once I have those figures in a coherent form, I’ll probably pass that info along and ask if he knows some non-bureaucrat in DoD that I might approach with the info.

As the ceremony neared an end, I was going around taking more pictures (I took 140 digitals).  A fellow tapped me on the shoulder and said I see your Cricket patch, so I have to ask.  I told him who I was, and he introduced himself as Jerry Schopen.  He’d been the 23rd TASS Operations Officer as a lieutenant colonel when I arrived at NKP in February 1967 as a first lieutenant.  I told him and a few more people about the TLCB website, so he’ll be checking it out.

The day was interesting, and it was rather heartwarming to see what might be termed as an immigrant community that is contributing to America .  These people have a pretty good reason for hating America , but they don’t.  The organizers showed considerable deference to any of us from the American military, and there were many smiles throughout.  In several cases I was asked to join Laotians for pictures.

The fellow from North Carolina said they are having their celebration today on the official date.  The mayor of Golden is doing the official proclamation ceremony today.  Anyway next summer if you’re around somewhere where a ceremony is taking place, try to take it in if you have the opportunity.  It can be heartwarming.

Jimmie

Jimmie H. Butler
Nail 12

The photo album has some of the pictures I took that day.  I'll also copy in information about the days activities.

Photos From Lao-Hmong Recogntion Day

 

Program for the Day's Activities:  

 

 

THE FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE

FEDERALLY SANCTIONED

NATIONAL LAO-HMONG

RECOGNITION DAY

 

|N RECOGNITION AND HONOR OF THE LAO-HMONG SPECIAL GUERRILLA UNITS (SGU) VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES - LAO, HMONG, MIEN, KHMU, LUE, THAI DAM,& OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS, THE EXILES AND THEIR LEADERSHIP FOR VALIANT SERVICE, PERSONAL SACRIFICES, AND LOYAL SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES ARCED FORCES IN MILITARP REGION II AND OTHER MILITARY REGIONS IN LAOS, DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

 

BROOKS FIELD, COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES GOLDEN, COLORADO

JULY 21, 2002

 

 

History of the Lao-Hmong

Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) Veterans

 

The Lao-Hmong, which means "Free People", were rugged Laotian hill tribesmen who were noted for their warrior tradition, loyalty, commitment, bravery and fierce independence through history.

During the Vietnam War, between 1960 and 1975, the Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) were among America 's staunchest and most loyal allies fighting the "Secret War" in Laos . They fought valiantly alongside US Armed Forces--the U.S. Air Commandos, U.S. Army Special Forces, Ravens, Air America , and the CIA. They fought against Communist expansionism, both to protect their freedom and to defend the U.S. policy and its interests in Southeast Asia . They served as the primary anti-Communist force in Laos and bore the brunt of ground fighting and casualties in support of American forces, often under the most difficult of circumstances.

Then, in 1975, the United States withdrew its forces from that region. The Communist regime immediately singled out the Lao-Hmong people for reprisals. As a consequence, these patriotic Lao-Hmong became victims and refugees. Out of an estimated population of roughly 350,000, tens of thousands fled to Thailand camps while thousands were ambushed, massacred, robbed and drowned in the Mekong River . The rest were left behind to live under the mercy of their archenemy, the Communist regime, where thousands were sent to harsh concentration camps to die in vain, without proper burial ceremonies.

From Thailand , many were eventually permitted to come to the country they once fought faithfully for, the United States of America . However, due to government policy concerning the so-called "Secret War", the Lao-Hmong personal sacrifices, enormous contributions and losses were kept secret from the general American public for thirty five years. Finally, on July 22, 1995 , the first-ever Public Tribute took place in Golden, Colorado to formally acknowledge the heroic contributions of the Lao-Hmong to the United States of America . These warriors truly epitomize the American military motto of "Duty, Honor and Country".

 

 

PROGRAM

COMMENCE -10:00 AM

CALL TO ORDER.......................................... .......................................................................BG SAL VILLANO

MILITARY MARCH

PRESENTATION AND POSTING OF COLORS

NATIONAL ANTHEM......................................... ...........................................................MISS NHIAKIE XIONG

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS...................................... ........................................... BG SAL VILLANO

............................................................................................................................................... MR. XIA VU YANG

HOST OF RECOGNITION EVENT ............................................................... MR. YANG CHEE, Pres. & CEO

...................................................................................................................  Lao-Hmong American Coalition

HOST CITY OF GOLDEN ........................................ ........................................ MAYOR CHARLES BAROCK

THE DISTINCTIVE BEAUTY

OF A "FREE PEOPLE" - THE HMONG........................................................... ...... MR.& MRS. YANG CHAO

READING OF PROCLAMATION/COMMENTS ......................................... ...................... BG SAL VILLANO

CONGRESSIONAL MESSAGE ....................................................... ............. CONGRESSMAN TANCREDO

........................................................................................................................ 6th Congressional District, CO

INTRODUCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER ............................................. ................. COL JUSTO GONZALEZ, JR.

FLY OVER........................................... ........................................................................LTC ROBERT RESLING

KEYNOTE SPEAKER .............................................. ................... THE HONORABLE CRAIG W. DUEHRING

.............................................................................................. Principal Deputy Asst Secretary of Defense

....................................................................................................... for Reserve Affairs, Raven Pilots Assn

SPECIAL REMARKS BY AN AMERICAN HMONG.............................. CAPTAIN CHUEPHENG LO

....................................................................................................................................   U.S. MILITARY POLICE

PROGRAM & AWARDS CEREMONY ............... MG KEN HAGEMAN BG's VILLANO, MATHIAS & ALBI

YOUTH REPRESENTATION ............................................... ................... RASAMEE VUE & TOUFUE YANG

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY .................... ......................... United Veterans Council & LAO-HMONG

MOMENT OF SILENCE.................................................................... ...................................BG SAL VILLANO

21 GUN SALUTE................................................................................... .................................SGT WES LOVE

TAPS............................................................................................................ ...............................SGT DOWNEY

CEREMONY CLOSING.......................................................................... ..............................BG SAL VILLANO

 

Information on the Congressional Resolution:

Congress of the United States

Washington , DC 20515

November 13, 2001

H. Con. Res. 88

 

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day.

Whereas the Lao-Hmong, which means "free people" are Laotian hill tribesmen noted for their warrior tradition, loyalty, and bravery;

Whereas beginning in 1960 the United States recruited thousands of members of the Lao-Hmong to fight against the communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army regulars in Laos ;

Whereas the United States relied heavily on the Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla Units to engage in direct combat with North Vietnamese troops from 1960 to 1975;

Whereas the Lao-Hmong conducted tactical guerrilla actions, flew thousands of deadly combat missions in support of the Armed Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, and fought in conventional and guerrilla combat clashes with extreme casualties;

Whereas the Lao-Hmong, although outnumbered, fought against enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops ant! war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail;

Whereas the Lao-Hmong protected U.S. personnel, guarded U.S. Air Force radar installation, gathered critical intelligence about enemy operations and undertook rescue missions to save the lives of downed American pilots;

Whereas over 35,000 members of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives defending the democratic way of life, and many more were seriously injured and disabled; and

Whereas thousands of Lao-Hmong suffered grievous injuries and permanent disabilities and thousands more were captured and sent to Communist concentration camps;

Whereas after the conclusion of the war, many t-to-Hmong soldiers were the victims of acts of retributive acts and atrocities by the Pathet Lao, leading many to flee to neighboring Thailand and become refugees;

Whereas beginning with Golden, Colorado in 1995, various State and local governments have issued proclamations declaring July 22 as Lao-Hmong Recognition Day, and the establishment of a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day would recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States exhibited by the Lao-Hmong in Southeast Asia: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation—

(1) recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day; and

(2) calling on the people of the United States to recognize the service and sacrifice of the Lao- Hmong men and women with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

     

 

House of Representatives November 13th, 2001

 

Representative Tom Tancredo Extension of Remarks On H. Con. Res. 88

 

It is with great pride that I rise to thank and honor, Mr. Speaker, those who served with America to protect democracy in Southeast Asia . The commitment and sacrifice of the Hmong people should never be forgotten. The citations that will be presented will represent a collective thanks from all of us.

The Lao-Hmong, which means 'free people', are Laotian members of the Hmong tribe and are noted for their warrior tradition, loyalty, and bravery. Beginning in 1960 the United States recruited thousands of the Lao-Hmong to fight against the Communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army regulars in Laos . The United States relied heavily on the Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla Units to engage in direct combat with North Vietnamese troops from 1960 to 1975. The Lao-Hmong conducted tactical guerrilla actions, flew thousands of deadly combat missions in support of the Armed Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, and fought in conventional and guerrilla combat clashes with extreme casualties. The Lao-Hmong, although outnumbered, fought against enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops and war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

The Lao-Hmong protected United States personnel, guarded United States Air Force radar installations, gathered critical intelligence about enemy operations, and undertook rescue missions to save the lives of downed United States pilots. More than 35,000 of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives defending the democratic way of life, and many more were seriously injured and disabled. Thousands of Lao-Hmong suffered grievous injuries and permanent disabilities, and thousands more were captured and sent to Communist concentration camps. After the conclusion of the war, many Lao-Hmong soldiers were the victims of acts of retribution and atrocities by the Pathet Lao, causing many of the Lao-Hmong to flee to neighboring Thailand and become refugees

Beginning with the City Council of Golden, Colorado , in 1995, various state and local governments have issued proclamations declaring July 22 as Lao-Hmong Recognition Day. The issuance of a Presidential Proclamation supporting the goals of Lao-Hmong Recognition Day will recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States exhibited by the Lao-Hmong in Southeast Asia . I call on the American people today, Mr. Speaker, to recognize the service and sacrifice of the Lao-Hmong men and women with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Photos From Lao-Hmong Recogntion Day