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Knowing is half the battle

My parents were refugees as a result of the Secret War. My dad was recruited as part of the CIA secret army, when he was a mere teen. I've never felt comfortable enough to ask my dad about his specific experience fighting against the Vietcong or the NVA, but I have heard bits of stories of confronting North Vietmese soldiers as a teen. 

In school, I only learned a limited watered-down version of my people's story. My nomadic people's history is draped in war and trauma, and continuous persecution at the hands of tyrannical governments throughout history, dating back as early as 3000 years ago. 

Regardless of the animosity my parents faced and would face if they were to travel back to Laos, I still see pain and nostaglia in their eyes, at every sight of mountains that remind them of "home." Slowly, I will learn about their experiences as I work up enough courage to ask my parents about their experiences during the Secret War. 

Slowly, I will know. Slowly, I will stitch. But the secret is out now, and every American should know their stories and experiences.

We, as first generation Hmong Americans, have a duty to learn their story, and the struggles that they endured, in order to give us the best chance at living rich and meaningful lives. Like our ancestors that have come before us, these stories need to be stitched together, like our story cloths, and passed on to the next generation.  

Slowly, I will know. Slowly, I will stitch. But the secret is out now, and every American should know their stories and experiences.

Biographical Details

Story Subject: Family

This story is part of Hmong in America.
Go to the collection.

Story Themes: Children of Veterans, Family, Hmong, Jonathan Vang, National Liberation Front, North Vietnamese Army, NVA, Read, Refugee, Saint Paul, Special Guerilla Unit, St Paul, The Secret War, Viet Cong

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