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*Gov. Evers?Orders?Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of?Hmong-Lao?Veterans Day, Proclaims ?Hmong-Lao?Veterans Day? Across the State* ? MADISON ? Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #224, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Tues., May 14, 2024, in honor of?Hmong-Lao?Veterans Day.

?Hmong-Lao?veterans?bravely?and selflessly?fought side-by-side with U.S. troops during the Vietnam War?with many?ultimately facing?harsh retribution for doing so, including being forced to flee?their?homelands. These veterans are an important part of our state?s story and our history,??said Gov. Evers. ?Today and every day, we?recognize?their?remarkable sacrifices,?reflect?upon the profound?contributions?they?have?made?to?our?communities and our?state,?and express our gratitude for their commitment to upholding?and defending?the freedoms and values we hold dear.?

During the Vietnam War, thousands of?Hmong-Lao?people courageously fought alongside the United States and, following the end of the war, faced harsh retribution from the Vietnamese and Lao governments for their service. Many?Hmong-Lao?soldiers and their families were?ultimately forced?to flee their homes, and many later resettled in communities throughout the United States, including in Wisconsin.?Today, Wisconsin is home to the third-largest Hmong population in the United States.

On May 14, 2021, Gov. Evers?signed [ [link removed] ]?2021 Wisconsin Act 31,?designating?May 14 as?Hmong-Lao?Veterans Day in Wisconsin, as May 14, 1975, was the last day of airlift evacuation of remaining?Hmong-Lao?soldiers and their families from the covert headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand. 2021 Wisconsin Act 31 requires the governor to annually issue a proclamation for the observance of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day that orders the flags at the State Capitol Building to be flown at half-staff, requests that the day be used to recall veterans? accomplishments and to thank veterans for their service, and encourages schools to discuss Hmong military service in support of the armed forces of the United States.

Gov. Evers has proclaimed May 14 as?Hmong-Lao?Veterans Day in Wisconsin each year since assuming office in 2019. A copy of the governor?s 2024 ?Hmong-Lao?Veterans Day? proclamation is available?here [ [link removed] ].?

Gov. Evers?has long made supporting?the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of?Wisconsin?s Hmong and Asian American communities, including?Hmong-Lao?veterans, a priority?of his administration.?Earlier this year, Gov. Evers?signed [ [link removed] ]?2023?Wisconsin Act 205, which ensures Hmong veterans can have veteran status on their driver?s license or ID by adding to the definition of ?veteran? any person who was admitted to the United States under the Hmong Veterans? Naturalization?Act.?Additionally,?Gov.?Evers?celebrated Hmong Heritage Month?this year?by?signing [ [link removed] ]?2023?Wisconsin Act 266, requiring schools to include education on the contributions and history of Hmong Americans and Asian Americans in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin?law requires?K-12 schools to teach Black American, Hispanic American, and Native American history.?2023?Act 266 added?Hmong and Asian American histories to this required curriculum, promoting greater awareness and understanding among Wisconsin students of the histories, cultures, and traditions of these diverse communities in Wisconsin. Gov. Evers?also proclaimed April Hmong Heritage Month?in accordance with?national observances. The governor?s proclamation can be found?here [ [link removed] ].

Executive Order #224 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Tues., May 14, 2024, and is available?here [ [link removed] ].
? An online version of this release is available?here [ [link removed] ].

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