In 1959 the Vietnamese Communist Party began an illegal campaign to use the territory of Laos as part of an effort to conquer Vietnam and imposed Communist rule on the peoples of Laos, against their aspirations and desires. The United States entered into the Vietnam War in 1960. It had directly affected on the Lao/Hmong who lived a peaceful life in Laos, Southeast Asia. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was first used as North Vietnam’s staging area to attack South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The Laotian people were recruited and funded by the U.S. C.I.A. to serve as soldiers… in defense of Freedom and Democracy… alongside with U.S. The “Secret War” began in 1960, and lasted until May 1975. (Lao Veterans of America http://www.laoveterans.com)

The Hmong suffered the most. They were the force of the Secret Army in Laos fighting the North Vietnamese army from 1961 to 1975. The US gave support from the air and to this day, Laos remains the most bombed country in history. Over the 14 years that the war raged on, possibly over 40,000 Hmong were killed fighting the communists and rescuing American pilots. They thought they were helping the American’s defend the Hmong. But the US left, taking its support with it. After the communists came to power in Laos in 1975, the North Vietnamese army targeted the Hmong for their involvement in the war and swept through Laos killing up to 30,000 more Hmong in the first 5 years. Most of the Hmong were forced to flee their homes to Thailand refugee camps. Many Hmong have come to the United States seeking to save themselves and their culture. Most of the time, they are met with negative stereotypes, hostility, economic instability, and culture shock.

Many who fought in the war, and had even lost brothers, fathers, or sons, thought that America would embrace them for the sacrifices they made, but sadly, that was not the case. The secret war birthed a forgotten people, forgotten heroes. As we recognize veterans and thank them for their selfless service, let’s not forget those who sacrificed and have never been mentioned or thought of. Take a moment for the tens of thousands who died on the field fighting our war, rescuing our American heroes. They paid dearly for their sacrifice, losing their homes, their land, and in many cases, part of their way of life.

Learn more about the Hmong people. It is worth your while. A great resource is the book: “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman