Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 14, in honor of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day.
“Through their service and sacrifice, our Hmong-Lao veteran community has earned every honor and respect we can give them by serving this nation during the Vietnam War and in many conflicts since, and for that, we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude,” said Gov. Evers in a statement. “Here in Wisconsin, we are committed to our promise to protect, defend, and support the veterans who’ve protected, defended, and supported us, and that includes our Hmong-Lao heroes.”
During the Vietnam War, thousands of Hmong-Lao people courageously fought alongside the United States and, following the end of the war, faced harsh retribution from the Vietnamese and Lao governments for their service. Many Hmong-Lao soldiers and their families were ultimately forced to flee their homes, and many later resettled in communities throughout the United States, including in Wisconsin. Today, Wisconsin is home to the third-largest Hmong population in the United States. The last day of airlift evacuation of remaining Hmong-Lao soldiers and their families from the covert headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos, to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand took place on May 14, 1975.
Each year since assuming office in 2019, Gov. Evers has proclaimed May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin.
