National Laos, Hmong Leader's Life, Legacy, Honored at Arlington Cemetery, Vietnam War Memorial, California Ceremonies

WASHINGTON - March 19, 2021 - PRLog -- Week-long national recognition and veterans memorial services honoring Colonel Wangyee Vang, PhD, are concluding today in Washington, D.C. following simultaneous funeral and honor guard burial ceremonies in Fresno, California, held from May 13-15. A wreath laying ceremony in honor of Colonel Wangyee Vang has been conducted at Arlington National Ceremony at the "Laos Memorial" and the Vietnam War Memorial in the nation's capital. Participants include the Lao Veterans of America (LVA), Lao Veterans of America Institute (LVAI), Center for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA), Members of the U.S. Congress, military and clandestine officials, Vietnam veterans, Southeast Asian refugee and Hmong community leaders. Flowers, prayers and statements are being offered.

"We are deeply saddened at the passing of Colonel Wangyee Vang and we seek to honor him and his family with our Lao Hmong veterans memorial ceremonies in Fresno, California, Arlington National Cemetery and Washington, D.C.," said Major Cheurchai Vang, National President of the LVA. "Our Laos, Hmong-American veterans' honor guard presented colors at the memorial services and funeral in Fresno and helped recognize Colonel Wangyee's important leadership, and historic service, to our veterans, nation and community."

"The week long national recognition events are honoring Colonel Wangyee's life and legacy as a Lao Hmong community leader and Southeast Asian refugee advocate as well as his service in the Royal Lao Army, and the U.S. Secret Army, during the Vietnam War in defense of the Kingdom of Laos," said Philip Smith, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA) in Washington, D.C. Smith also serves as the Washington, D.C. liaison for the LVA and LVAI. "Colonel Wangyee was the founder and President Emeritus of the Lao Veterans of America for many years, and humbly and kindly served the community, his family and people all of his life, especially in Laos, Thailand, France and America."

Smith continued: "Colonel Wangyee Vang's leadership role, with the Lao Veterans of America, and Laotian and Hmong community. was crucial in Washington, D.C., in establishing the 'Laos Memorial' in Arlington National Cemetery as well as the introduction and passage, in the U.S. Congress, of the 'Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act' and the 'Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act.' Thousands of Laotian and Hmong families and refugees fleeing persecution and death in Laos at the hands of Pathet Lao Marxist guerrillas and invading Communist forces from Vietnam were saved and brought to America because of Colonel Wangyee Vang's work to help stop forced repatriation and human rights violations in Laos and Thailand, and at refugee camps at Ban Vinai, Chang Kham, Ban Napho and Wat Tham Krabok."

http://www.cppa-dc.org