General Vang Pao honored in local ceremony

Kansas City Examiner: General Vang Pao honored in local ceremony
More than 125 members of the Greater Kansas City Hmong community gathered Jan. 29 at the George Meyn Community Center, 126th State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. in a memorial ceremony to honor the passing of General Vang Pao.

Vang Pao was a Major General in the Royal Lao Army and was an ethnic Hmong and a leader of the Hmong American community. During World War II, Vang Pao was considered as a "Mèo Maquis" and was part of the resistance movement that fought against the Japanese.

After the war, Vang Pao was recruited by the French to fight against the Viet Minh in the first Indo China War and continued to serve in the newly independent Kingdom of Laos obtaining the rank of general in the Royal Lao Army. During the Vietnam War, he commanded a very secret and highly effective army against People's Army of Vietnam.

By 1975, Vang Pao immigrated to the United States and established with others the United Lao National Liberation Front (ULNF) and was a very influential leader of the Hmong community.

On Jan. 6, 2011, Vang Pao died due to pneumonia and heart complications. He was 81 years of age.

In Vang Pao’s honor, the Hmong American Community, Inc. organized a commemorative observance with photographs of Vang Pao throughout his life, slide shows, movies and refreshments. An honor guard presented the flags and candles were lit in memory of his long life while Taps were played.

Organizers for the event were Dr. Vamhmoo Lor, HAC president, Van Her Vang, Vang Organization president, and Rev. Wayne Yang, HAC vice-president.

Other guests included David Haley, Kansas state senator, Rev. Dr. Mark R Holland, commissioner at-large, District 1, and Curtis Smith, WyCo Ethnic Festival organizer.