A bill by Rep Jim Costa (D-California) and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) would grant burial honors to Lao and Hmong-American veterans of the Vietnam War in Laos, reports Yahoo.
“We are grateful that U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced new legislation in the U.S. Senate to grant burial honors, and burial benefits, to the Laotian and Hmong veterans who heroically served in the ‘U.S. Secret Army’ in Laos during the Vietnam War,” said Colonel Wangyee Vang, National President of the Lao Veterans of America Institute (LVAI), headquartered in Fresno, California.
The bill could make it possible for Lao and Hmong American veterans to be buried in national cemetaries in the United States.
“Clearly, it is long overdue and important for the U.S. government to proactively recognize and honor the sacrifices of the Lao and Hmong veterans of the ‘U.S. Secret Army,’ especially their critical and unique contribution to U.S. national security interests during the Vietnam War,” Philip Smith, Executive Director of Center for Public Policy stated. “America should grant the surviving Lao and Hmong veterans historic burial rights, and honors, at U.S. national veterans’ cemeteries.”
