Home
Davdub,
Ua cas Guest ho PM tau rau kuv thiab. Kuv lam nug xwb vim kuv tau txhais qhov cov lu no from ib tug Guest na?????
Hi my name is Ramon Caban I recently read the story of the HMONG veterans and
My father worked with the HMONG soldiers in Laos & Cambodia. He was with the 1st Special Forces 5th Special Forces Group B-Team (C.I.A.)
His name is Carlos Caban Cruz also known as the "NIGHT DRAGON" . He raided P.O.W. camps in Laos & Cambodia , Rescued downed pilots and stopped Chinese trains with supplies heading to Vietnam
with HMONG soldiers. We are trying to get in contact with the HMONG veterans but we have no way to contact them. Can you please help me find these men my father would like to speak with them & help them
with there legitimacy of there service.
Thank you, Ramon Caban
Ramon caban 213-234-8667
Carlos Caban Cruz
326 S. Hewitt St. unit 19
Los Angeles, Ca. 90013
213-613-9425
Article by: MARK BRUNSWICK , Star Tribune Updated: March 1, 2012 - 5:41 AM
Federal law forbids burial of Hmong veterans next to their U.S. comrades. They're fighting for a bill in the Minnesota House that asks Congress and the president to change the prohibition.
hide
Chue Chou Tchang, who represents a national association of Hmong fighters, works full time trying to gain legitimacy for the soldiers.
Photo: Jerry Holt, Star Tribune
Star Tribune photo galleries
view larger
22comments resize text printbuy reprints
In a small building on Arcade Street in St. Paul, about a dozen Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War -- all trained, paid and armed to fight for the United States by the Central Intelligence Agency -- gather regularly to discuss upcoming public service events or festivities where their honor guard might be needed. They dress in old military uniforms they have bought on their own and have decorated with patches of their own design.
The meetings now come with a renewed urgency.
When they die, these secret warriors of a secret American war want to buried in veterans cemeteries alongside their American comrades. But even though they now are commonly acknowledged as having fought for the United States in northern Laos, they are prohibited by law from being buried in national or state veterans cemeteries, which are reserved for American service members and honorably discharged U.S. military veterans and their families.
A bill in the Minnesota House asks Congress and the president to change the prohibition. But the state Department of Veterans Affairs warns that doing so could open the door for others who have helped Americans in their conflicts overseas, escalating costs and crowding the cemeteries.
Earlier this week, the veterans made their plea at a hearing of the House Veterans Services Division.
"We were American soldiers fighting alongside American soldiers," testified Chue Chou Tchang, the national chairman of the Special Guerrilla Unit, an association of Hmong fighters in the United States, speaking through an interpreter. "We fought like brothers. We died together. Coming to this country, we'd like to rest with the American soldiers that fought with us."
Forbidden by a United Nations agreement from committing American troops in Laos in the early 1960s, the CIA launched a covert operation of training and funding Hmong soldiers, first to retrieve the bodies of pilots whose planes had crashed and then to block supplies and attack North Vietnamese and communist troops. An estimated 30,000 people, more than 10 percent of the Hmong population in Laos, were killed in the war and about 100,000 Hmong became refugees inside Laos, settling into already-existing towns or in resettlement centers. Beginning in the late 1970s, the United States and other nations began resettling Hmong; more than 60,000 Hmong live in Minnesota.
Now in their 60s and many in failing health, about 3,500 Hmong veterans are believed to remain in the United States, with about 400 in Minnesota, believed to be the largest contingent in any state.
A father's dying wish
Inside the little storefront on Arcade Street, pictures line the walls, and include aging photos of U.S. officers shaking hands with their Hmong counterparts and row after row of Hmong military leaders wearing U.S. military uniforms. Little U.S. flags are everywhere.
A panoramic picture of Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand 1970-1992 and a chalk board that hangs below it that lists upcoming funerals for three of the group's members underscore the group's tortuous past and its uncertain future.
Hmong Vietnam veterans receive no veterans benefits, such as medical care or pensions. Tchang, who still commands the respect of his dwindling troops, works full time trying to gain legitimacy for the soldiers who survive, pushing for them to get the paperwork necessary to secure the rights to the final resting place of their choice. There are 35 similar chapters in 35 different states.
At the hearing this week, Michael Yang testified that his father's dying wish was to be buried in a veterans cemetery. John Yang changed his name so that he could return to Laos without facing detention and become a naturalized American citizen. He had almost lost his left arm fighting against the North Vietnamese and communists. When he died in 2005, the family received a flag from U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum's office, but they couldn't get a military color guard to come to the cemetery. They had to get the Reserve Officers Training Corps from a nephew's school to do the presentation. He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, but not by choice
"He wanted to be buried in a national cemetery so bad," Michael Yang said. "That was the last honor he could have."
A nephew is now deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota National Guard and another soon will be joining the Navy. "That's the spirit my father had," he said. "We have to be protective of this country."
Change would set precedent
In a letter made available to committee members, Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito, himself a Vietnam veteran, acknowledged the role Hmong fighters had in the secret war in Laos, and pointed out that the state has proclaimed a special Royal Lao Armed Forces Day each year. But, Shellito said, granting special rights for Hmong fighters would represent a precedent, and any honor bestowed on Hmong veterans would have to be provided equally to others, such as Vietnamese, Iragis, Afghans, and Somalis.
lated content
Song Yang, 79, is one of about 400 Hmong veterans — and more than 60,000 Hmong — who live in Minnesota. About 30,000 Hmong were killed during the Vietnam War, and about 100,000 became refugees inside Laos.
Jerry Holt, Star Tribune
more from state + local
First Vikings stadium hearing at Capitol expected to be short
Plans for pellet plant hinge on environmental review exemption bill
'Right to work' battle pitched in Minnesota
Ua cas Guest ho PM tau rau kuv thiab. Kuv lam nug xwb vim kuv tau txhais qhov cov lu no from ib tug Guest na?????
Hi my name is Ramon Caban I recently read the story of the HMONG veterans and
My father worked with the HMONG soldiers in Laos & Cambodia. He was with the 1st Special Forces 5th Special Forces Group B-Team (C.I.A.)
His name is Carlos Caban Cruz also known as the "NIGHT DRAGON" . He raided P.O.W. camps in Laos & Cambodia , Rescued downed pilots and stopped Chinese trains with supplies heading to Vietnam
with HMONG soldiers. We are trying to get in contact with the HMONG veterans but we have no way to contact them. Can you please help me find these men my father would like to speak with them & help them
with there legitimacy of there service.
Thank you, Ramon Caban
Ramon caban 213-234-8667
Carlos Caban Cruz
326 S. Hewitt St. unit 19
Los Angeles, Ca. 90013
213-613-9425
Article by: MARK BRUNSWICK , Star Tribune Updated: March 1, 2012 - 5:41 AM
Federal law forbids burial of Hmong veterans next to their U.S. comrades. They're fighting for a bill in the Minnesota House that asks Congress and the president to change the prohibition.
hide
Chue Chou Tchang, who represents a national association of Hmong fighters, works full time trying to gain legitimacy for the soldiers.
Photo: Jerry Holt, Star Tribune
Star Tribune photo galleries
view larger
22comments resize text printbuy reprints
In a small building on Arcade Street in St. Paul, about a dozen Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War -- all trained, paid and armed to fight for the United States by the Central Intelligence Agency -- gather regularly to discuss upcoming public service events or festivities where their honor guard might be needed. They dress in old military uniforms they have bought on their own and have decorated with patches of their own design.
The meetings now come with a renewed urgency.
When they die, these secret warriors of a secret American war want to buried in veterans cemeteries alongside their American comrades. But even though they now are commonly acknowledged as having fought for the United States in northern Laos, they are prohibited by law from being buried in national or state veterans cemeteries, which are reserved for American service members and honorably discharged U.S. military veterans and their families.
A bill in the Minnesota House asks Congress and the president to change the prohibition. But the state Department of Veterans Affairs warns that doing so could open the door for others who have helped Americans in their conflicts overseas, escalating costs and crowding the cemeteries.
Earlier this week, the veterans made their plea at a hearing of the House Veterans Services Division.
"We were American soldiers fighting alongside American soldiers," testified Chue Chou Tchang, the national chairman of the Special Guerrilla Unit, an association of Hmong fighters in the United States, speaking through an interpreter. "We fought like brothers. We died together. Coming to this country, we'd like to rest with the American soldiers that fought with us."
Forbidden by a United Nations agreement from committing American troops in Laos in the early 1960s, the CIA launched a covert operation of training and funding Hmong soldiers, first to retrieve the bodies of pilots whose planes had crashed and then to block supplies and attack North Vietnamese and communist troops. An estimated 30,000 people, more than 10 percent of the Hmong population in Laos, were killed in the war and about 100,000 Hmong became refugees inside Laos, settling into already-existing towns or in resettlement centers. Beginning in the late 1970s, the United States and other nations began resettling Hmong; more than 60,000 Hmong live in Minnesota.
Now in their 60s and many in failing health, about 3,500 Hmong veterans are believed to remain in the United States, with about 400 in Minnesota, believed to be the largest contingent in any state.
A father's dying wish
Inside the little storefront on Arcade Street, pictures line the walls, and include aging photos of U.S. officers shaking hands with their Hmong counterparts and row after row of Hmong military leaders wearing U.S. military uniforms. Little U.S. flags are everywhere.
A panoramic picture of Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand 1970-1992 and a chalk board that hangs below it that lists upcoming funerals for three of the group's members underscore the group's tortuous past and its uncertain future.
Hmong Vietnam veterans receive no veterans benefits, such as medical care or pensions. Tchang, who still commands the respect of his dwindling troops, works full time trying to gain legitimacy for the soldiers who survive, pushing for them to get the paperwork necessary to secure the rights to the final resting place of their choice. There are 35 similar chapters in 35 different states.
At the hearing this week, Michael Yang testified that his father's dying wish was to be buried in a veterans cemetery. John Yang changed his name so that he could return to Laos without facing detention and become a naturalized American citizen. He had almost lost his left arm fighting against the North Vietnamese and communists. When he died in 2005, the family received a flag from U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum's office, but they couldn't get a military color guard to come to the cemetery. They had to get the Reserve Officers Training Corps from a nephew's school to do the presentation. He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, but not by choice
"He wanted to be buried in a national cemetery so bad," Michael Yang said. "That was the last honor he could have."
A nephew is now deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota National Guard and another soon will be joining the Navy. "That's the spirit my father had," he said. "We have to be protective of this country."
Change would set precedent
In a letter made available to committee members, Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito, himself a Vietnam veteran, acknowledged the role Hmong fighters had in the secret war in Laos, and pointed out that the state has proclaimed a special Royal Lao Armed Forces Day each year. But, Shellito said, granting special rights for Hmong fighters would represent a precedent, and any honor bestowed on Hmong veterans would have to be provided equally to others, such as Vietnamese, Iragis, Afghans, and Somalis.
lated content
Song Yang, 79, is one of about 400 Hmong veterans — and more than 60,000 Hmong — who live in Minnesota. About 30,000 Hmong were killed during the Vietnam War, and about 100,000 became refugees inside Laos.
Jerry Holt, Star Tribune
more from state + local
First Vikings stadium hearing at Capitol expected to be short
Plans for pellet plant hinge on environmental review exemption bill
'Right to work' battle pitched in Minnesota
