Laos, Hmong Veterans Honored By US Senator Jack Reed at Arlington National Cemetery,Vietnam Memorial

WASHINGTON - May 18, 2018 - PRLog -- Special Lao and Hmong veterans memorial wreath-laying ceremonies were  held on May 14-15,2018 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and at Arlington National Cemetery, at the Lao Veterans of America Monument ( " Laos Memorial "), by key public agencies and officials, veterans and their families, including the Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, the Center for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA), the Lao Veterans of America (LVA), the Lao Veterans of America Institute, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Army "Old Guard" Honor Guard, a U.S. Army Wreath bearer and Bugler, the U.S. Special Forces Association, the OSS Society, the Hmong Association of Rhode Island, the Lao Hmong Community of Virginia and Rhode Island, and others.  Keynote speakers included U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D- Rhode Island), Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent Katharine Kelley, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Major General Victor Hugo, Jr. , U.S. Special Forces Association, Colonel James Bruton, U.S. Special Forces Association, Philip Smith, Director of the Center for Public Policy Analysis and National Liaison for the Lao Veterans of America, Major Cheurchai Vang, National President, Lao Veterans of America, Peter Vang, Executive Director, Lao Veterans of America, Roger Whitfield, National Association of Black Veterans and disabled Vietnam Veteran, Toua Kue, Rhode Island, Lao Veterans of America, Chager Xiong, Vice President, Minnesota, Lao Veterans of America, and others.  May 14-15 commemorates National Lao Hmong Veterans Recognition Day.

The following is the text of the statement of U.S. Senator Jack Reed presented on May 14, 2018 (and delivered and read on May 14-15, 2018 at the Lao Veterans of America monument "Laos Memorial" and Vietnam Veterans Memorial wreath-laying ceremonies held in Washington,D.C.):


         U.S. Senator Jack Reed

May 14,2018

Greetings:

I join in extending my sincere gratitude to all of the Laotian and Hmong soldiers who fought during the Vietnam War. I would also like to thank their families for their sacrifice and service to the United States as we commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the dedication of the Laos Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery

It is important that we continue to recognize the vital role that these brave soldiers played in the American war effort in Southeast Asia, from helping to rescue downed American pilots to conducting raids along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

In light of these notable contributions, I am proud to have cosponsored the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, which gave Hmong and Laotian veterans the opportunity to become American citizens. Furthermore, I am pleased that the Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act was included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill. This law, which I supported, will allow Laotian and Hmong-Americans who served in the Vietnam War to be buried in any open national cemetery. This recognition of their service is long overdue and well-deserved.

I join you in remembering and honoring the actions of these brave Laotian and Hmong soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Sincerely

Jack Reed
United States Senator

Contact(s):
U.S. Senator Jack Reed
Press Office

or

Jade Her / Philip Smith
Center for Public Policy Analysis
Tele. (202)543-1444
info@centerofrpublicpolicyanalysis.org
http://www.cppa-dc.org