As an American Soldier, I was fortunate enough to be assigned duty in the beautiful country of Thailand.

    That was over thirty years ago.   It wasn't until the end of the 80's that I learned much, at all, about Laos and even more recent about the Secret War in Laos and the Hmong people.

    Today, most Americans have forgotten the Vietnam War Era, but the Hmong people were are staunchest allies; sacrificing their blood, families and homeland since 1975 ...   More Hmong and other hill tribe people died in support of our military missions then all other foreign allies combined.

    The primary purpose of this "Links" page is to provide some enlightenment as to the plight of these people today, their progress since adopting our country as their home and to become familiar with their personal sacrifices for u.s.   Please take the time to learn more about this lovely people and what they did for u.s. during the Vietnam War in Laos.   It has been said that they preferred we supply them with the weapons and materials to fight the communist aggressors from North Vietnam, China and the (then) Soviet Union rather than have u.s. die for their country.   History will show that politics lost the american efforts in S.E.A. and politicians (not soldiers) can take credit for the results ...

    For now, that is sufficient background information for anybody with an interest, whether academic or otherwise to understand my personal motivations :   to let the world know about an allie betrayed, i.m.h.o. The first link relates, really to the graphic map, depicting the major population areas in which the Hmong people have settled in the United States and a school web site from Minnesota (St. Paul - K12) http://ww2.saturn.stpaul.k12.mn.us/hmong/sathmong.html

    At this web site, you will find "Pa Ndau" pictures, the storybook language the Hmong used before developing their own written language.

    The next web site, represents their veterans and the stories about the Secret War in Laos managed by the C.I.A. with blood'n guts supplied by the Hmong at -

http://www.laoveterans.com/

    You will find many interesting stories about their sacrifices that I hope will help anyone understand these people a little better ...   For the benefit of "national recognition," the Hmong have always been referenced (as a people) by the nation of Laos they called home or "Lao" for Laotian people and therefore, the Lao Veterans of America, Inc. organization.

    Another helpful web site on language lessons can be found at -
    http://members.aol.com/nyablaj/hmong.html - "Hmong Lessons."

    http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/4908/ - Hmong Language Users Group.

    Teachers' Resources for the Hmong - http://www.uwsuper.edu/library/hmong/hmong.html

    FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions - HmongNet) http://www.hmongnet.org/faq/index.html

    Hmong Net - http://www.hmongnet.org/

    Hmong Free Radio - http://members.freespeech.org/hmongfreeradio/   (Requires RealPlayer)

    Hmong-American Radio - http://www.hmongradio.ws/Hmong_American_Radio.html

    PBS Org Hmong Artist/Musicians - http://www.pbs.org/riverofsong/artists/e1-hmong.html

608 Pages (Paperback Edition - Dec'99)   Best price deal!   $15.16    ISBN   0253207568
Usually ships within 24 hours.
580 Pages (Hardcover Edition - Jan'93)   Low price deal!   $20.97     ISBN   0253327318
Usually ships within 2-3 Days.
  Larger photo   "Tragic Mountains" is the story about the Secret Wars in Laos and the Hmong veterans sacrifices.   There are several other historical books related to the Secret War, but none come close to the research and compilations I believe you will find in this one book.   For other books, related to the Secret War, you can click here for more order information.


"Shooting at the Moon:   The Story of America's Clandestine War in Laos"

Paperback Edition - Jan'97   Best price deal!   $14.40 *     ISBN   1883642361
Usually ships within 24 hours.

  Larger photo

    Granted, both of these books deal specifically with the war years, but that is really part of the history of the Hmong people and their survival (and their sacrifice.)   After I began reading "Tragic Mountains" and familiar with some of the other books about the secret war, I thought there was absolutely nothing better.   Wrong.   "Shooting at the Moon" filled in gaps and the author's writing style lent more to understanding the major players, of which were (for the American side) C.I.A. personnel and for the Hmong side - Vang Pao.   Vang Pao.   Bill Lair, a "quiet Texan," that was responsible for the Thai police force known as the "PARU" in the 50's, was given a special assignment to work with the Hmong in training them for their role as guerrilla warfare tactics (they already knew - from a hunter or native point of view) and to supply them with weapons and logistics.   Armed with these two books, you will understand their heritage!

    Please visit my "Report on Laos" page that takes information and other sources from National Geographic Society.

    Note :   if you want to learn a little about a culture, try learning a little bit about their native language.   I know a lot about Thai (Thailand) and Lao (Laos,) but "na-da" about Hmong !   <gd&r>

    Notice :   for those that are interested in a particular web site, for off-line use, for a modest s & h charge, I will down-load the web site (if I don't already have it) produced in a (Adobe) PDF (portal data file) format that can be read, printed off-line and return to you in a self-addressed envelope on a CD media.   Such cost is based upon available time and my "little" assistance getting it out to you !   In other words:   "Catch when/catch can ..." ..and, "as is."

    Again, please note that this is a work-in-progress and your help in identifying major web sites dedicated to the advancement of Hmong cultures, language and their personal sacrifices told by other veterans is solicited and appreciated ... Please email me by clicking on this link.   Thank you.

Personal Web Sites - by Hmong of All Ages ...

    There is always "room" for individual, creative (web) sites.   I will list on a separate page all such sites that reflect a certain standard of civility - i.o.w., not outrageous display of ... (fill in the blanks.)