Colonel Wangyee Vang Memorial Ceremonies: National Laos, Hmong Leader To Be Honored

WASHINGTON - March 12, 2021 - PRLog -- From 9:00 A.M.-9:45 A.M., March 13, 2021, in Fresno, California, a special U.S. Secret Army Hmong veterans' honor guard will present arms, and colors, to commence national memorial services and funeral events in honor of Colonel Wangyee Vang, President Emeritus, of the Lao Veterans of America (LVA).  Lao and Hmong veterans and their families from the Central Valley, and across the U.S., will participate, as well as various officials, including U.S. Congressman Jim Costa (D -CA), Major Cheurchai Vang, National President of the LVA,  and Philip Smith of the Center for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA) in Washington,D.C.

Lao Hmong veterans will gather to mark the passing of Colonel Wangyee Vang and co-host national veterans memorial ceremonies that will precede his three day funeral services.  Ethnic Lao and Hmong veterans and their families who served with military and clandestine forces in the 'U.S. Secret Army' in  Laos will participate.  Colonel Wangyee Vang was the founder of the LVA, the nation's largest Lao- and Hmong-American veterans' non-profit veterans organization which is headquartered in Fresno, California.  Colonel Wangyee Vang helped spearhead efforts in Washington, D.C. for the dedication of the first national monument to honor Lao Hmong veterans in Arlington National Cemetery on May 14-15, 1997 ("Laos Memorial") as well as the "Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act", which granted honorary American citizenship to tens of thousands of Hmong veterans and their families in the United States.

In Washington, D.C., a wreath-laying and memorial ceremony will be held simultaneously on March 13 at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam War Memorial to help honor Colonel Vang.

Colonel Wangyee Vang served as a  Southeast Asian refugee and community leader in the Lao and Hmong community in the U.S. since the end of the Vietnam War. He was the founder and President of the LVA as well as the Lao Veterans of America Institute (LVAI) for over 21 years..  Wangyee Vang served in the 'U.S. Secret Army" in the defense of the Kingdom of Laos, and U.S. national security interests during the Vietnam War, from 1961-1975. He was 74 years old.

Following the honor guard ceremony, Major Cheurchai Vang, LVA President, will speak as well as other officials including U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, and family members of Colonel Wangyee Vang.

Date/Time:  9:00 A.M.-10 A.M., March 13,2021

Location:   Faith Community Religious Facility, 1495 N. Chestnut Ave. Fresno, CA 93703

Cosponsors:  the family of Colonel Wangyee Vang, LVA, LVAI, the CPPA, Members of the U.S. Congress and others.

Speakers:  Major Cheurchai Vang, President,  LVA;, Philip Smith Director, CPPA; Bee Vang, Director, LVA; U.S. Congressman Jim Costa,  family members, and others.

Philip Smith,CPPA
info@thecenterforpublicpolicyanalysis.org
http://www.cppa-dc.org