To honor our true ally

To honor our true ally

On Thursday, May 1, a red and white navy military training aircraft landed at Centennial Airport and taxied to the ramp at the Wings Over the Rockies facility on the east side of the field.

The T-28 Trojan trainer signaled the beginning of a project that has been over 10 years in development. Thanks to the generous support of Board Member and Chairmen John Horan, this aircraft was purchased by the Colorado Lao-Hmong Memorial Foundation to be the centerpiece of a national memorial honoring the heroic sacrifices of the Hmong in supporting the United States during the Vietnam War.

In northern Laos, the so-called Ho Chi Minh trail wound its way through Laos heading south to supply Viet Cong and North Vietnam soldiers with tons of military and food supplies to continue their attacks on the U.S. and their allies in South Vietnam.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency recruited Hmong villagers to support clandestine military operations to interrupt North Vietnam supplies coming down the trail.

The Lao-Hmong, with the CIA’s help, were trained to organize the guerrilla units to ambush and use aircraft to bomb the trucks and personnel moving the supplies to the south.

The aircraft used by the Royal Laotian Air Force, many flown by Hmong pilots, was highly effective in reducing, and at times, stopping the flow of supplies to South Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War, the Hmong lost over 35,000 of its fighters and pilots. In addition, the Hmong fighters were credited with rescuing hundreds of downed American airmen in Laos.

After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, thousands of Hmong fled Laos because of the threat of the Lao communist government.

Ultimately, over 100,000 Hmong refugees settled in the United States. There are over 6,000 Hmong living in Colorado. the spirit and love for America by these brave people are exemplified in their strong sense of importance to family, a dedication to education and personal achievement.

The planned Hmong memorial will be located on the grounds of the Westminster municipal building. The T-28 Aircraft will be elevated at the center of the memorial site surrounded by placards telling the history and accomplishments of the Lao-Hmong and their heroic legacy in supporting this nation.

For more information on how you can help with this historic project, please contact: The Hmong Memorial Foundation, 1150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO 80014