By Blake Jackson
Missouri officially recognised Hmong-Lao Veterans Day on May 14, 2024, to honour the legacy of Hmong people who fought alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam War.
Known as the “Secret Army,” the Hmong were trained by the CIA to combat North Vietnamese troops in Laos, gather intelligence, and rescue American pilots.
After the war ended, many Hmong fled their homeland, and May 14, 1975, marked the final U.S. airlift that brought Hmong officers and their families to safety in Thailand. From there, they came to the United States as refugees.
Since the early 2000s, Missouri has welcomed many Hmong families, especially in the southwest region, where the climate is ideal for agriculture. Hmong farmers have played a vital role in local markets and the state’s farming economy.
To honour these immigrants, the State Historical Society of Missouri launched the Missouri Immigration Oral History Project.
The initiative began with interviews focusing on the Hmong community and has expanded to include stories from various immigrant groups who made Missouri their home.
These oral histories are available to the public at six State Historical Society locations. They are also accessible at the Springfield Research Center inside Missouri State University’s Meyer Library and online at SHSMO.org.
“There are quotes from folks like an outgoing EPA General Counsel, who say 90% of the details in a NEPA review are purely there for litigation-proofing the document,” said Thomas Hochman, highlighting the challenges of documentation.
This project ensures the Hmong community’s contributions, both in war and farming, are remembered for generations.
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Government & Policy