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Recognizing the life of Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang for his contributions to Saint Paul and Proclaiming July 11–13, 2026, as Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang Memorial Days in the City of Saint Paul.
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WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang was born in 1955 in Naj Npum, Laos, to Song Yang and Bliaxa Vang, and grew up during a time of war, displacement, and great hardship; and
WHEREAS, from a young age, Dr. Vang demonstrated courage, resilience, and a deep commitment to service, assisting the United States during the Vietnam War as a radio operator and air traffic controller in Laos; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Vang endured extraordinary hardship as a Prisoner of War, survived separation from his family, escaped danger, and later reunited with his wife, Song Ly, and their daughter after more than a month apart; and
WHEREAS, after living in a refugee camp in Thailand, Dr. Vang and his family were sponsored by Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Illinois, where he began rebuilding his life in the United States with determination, humility, and hope; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Vang worked tirelessly in many fields while learning English and continuing his education, eventually earning his General Education Diploma and becoming the first in the Hmong community to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, in appreciation for his new country and with a continuing desire to serve the United States, Dr. Vang joined the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1998 as a dentist, serving honorably for 20 years until his retirement in 2018; and
WHEREAS, during his military service, Lieutenant Colonel Vang provided dental care to more than 7,000 Airmen, helped strengthen dental readiness within the Wing, and contributed to record-high Individual Medical Readiness rates across the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Vang never missed a regularly scheduled drill during his 20 years of service, exemplifying discipline, dedication, and the Air Force value of Service Before Self; and
WHEREAS, beyond his military service, Dr. Vang was a respected dentist and business owner of Vang Dental Clinic Inc., community leader, and advocate who served more than 35,000 patients, many from low-income families and underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Vang served as Co-Chair of the Board for the Hmong American Education Foundation, a Senior Advisor to Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) Veterans and Families of USA, Vang Council of Minnesota, Inc., and was an active member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, and Saint Paul District Dental Society; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Vang received the Minnesota Dental Association’s Humanitarian Service Award in recognition of his devoted service to his patients and community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul previously recognized his dedication to community service by proclaiming October 13, 2018, as Lieutenant Colonel Kou B. Vang Day; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang’s life stands as a powerful example of courage, sacrifice, faith, perseverance, service, and love for family, community, country, and the people of Saint Paul; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council hereby celebrates and honors the life, legacy, and lasting contributions of Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council hereby proclaims July 11–13, 2026, as Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Kou Bliaxa Vang Memorial Days in the City of Saint Paul.