Hmong veterans gather in Madison to celebrate Hmong-Lao Veterans Appreciation Day

MADISON - There were about 300 Hmong veterans with the Wisconsin Lao Veterans of America gathered Monday at the Wisconsin state Capitol in Madison to celebrate the Hmong-Lao Veterans Appreciation Day and commemorate the evacuation of Hmong soldiers from Laos after the Vietnam War had ended.

The group also honored the Hmong leader Gen. Vang Pao, who allied with the U.S. government in the war and later helped lead refugee resettlement efforts in the U.S.

Wisconsin Lao Veterans of America is working to get the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide flags for the funeral services of Hmong veterans as a form of recognition of the services of Hmong fighters to America.

Gov. Scott Walker presented a proclamation in honor of the veterans’ service in the Vietnam War. Sens. Jerry Petrowski, Tim Carpenter and Luther Olsen also attended.