Legislature Honors Hmong-American Vietnam Veterans

Legislature Honors Hmong-American Vietnam Veterans

HCR 4 proclaims May 15 as Hmong-American Veterans Memorial Day | Www.Akbizmag.Com

Tuesday, April 2, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska Legislature today sent a resolution calling on the state to honor the tens of thousands of Hmong-Americans killed or wounded in the Kingdom of Laos during the Vietnam War to the Governor. House Concurrent Resolution 4, sponsored by Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, proclaims May 15 to be Hmong-American Veterans Memorial Day. Hmong-Americans supported United States military operations in the Kingdom of Laos in what was known as the “Secret War” between Feb. 28, 1961 and May 15, 1975. Estimated numbers are 35,000-40,000 Hmong-Americans killed in combat, 50,000-58,000 wounded, and 3,000 missing in action. “I want to thank Senator Fairclough who carried HCR 4 and her colleagues in the Senate for their overwhelming support of Hmong-American Veterans Day,” LeDoux said. “The recognition of these heroes is long overdue.”

The most recent numbers show the United States Hmong population to be between 200,000 and 300,000; with the Alaska population at almost 4,700 and rising. HCR 4 passed both the House and Senate unanimously and will be sent to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for permanent filing.