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Recognizing the contribution of Xia Xoua Vang.
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WHEREAS, Xia Xoua Vang, born in 1948 in Sam Nuea, Laos, he is a respected elder and community leader whose life reflects on courage, resilience, and a lifelong dedication to service; and
WHEREAS, in 1967, Xia Xoua Vang met Central intelligence Agency (CIA) Officer Jerry Daniels and was recruited to assist the Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) during the Secret War in Laos, serving in a special scouting and support role by observing enemy movements, gathering critical information, reporting intelligence to SGU soldiers, and helping guide troops safely through unfamiliar and dangerous terrain, while thousands of Hmong soldiers fought alongside the United States in a covert military operation supporting American efforts during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, the Hmong soldiers of the Secret War made extraordinary sacrifices in defense for freedom, with many risking their lives to support the United States and its allies; and
WHEREAS, following the fall of Laos in 1975, many Hmong veterans and their families faced persecution and were forced to flee their homeland, seeking refuge in neighboring countries; and
WHEREAS, Xia Xoua Vang and his family sought safety at Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand and later immigrated to the United States in 1979, where they rebuilt their lives; and
WHEREAS, after settling in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Xia Xoua Vang became a respected member of the community, supporting fellow veterans, mentoring younger generations, and helping preserve the history and cultural traditions of the Hmong people; and
WHEREAS, through volunteer work, cultural leadership, and participation in Hmong New Year celebrations and other community events from 1998 to 2019, Xia Xoua Vang helped strengthen community unity and cultural pride; and
WHEREAS, Xia Xoua Vang is a devoted husband to Chou Xiong Vang, a loving father of seven children, and a proud grandfather of thirty-four grandchildren, leaving...
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