The Hmong, Vietnam era allies, honor their dead from long-ago war

[BMT (RIP)]

“How do we give back,” Vietnam veteran Grant McClure asked, “to a people who gave everything?”

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/...m_medium=email


BMT

[Trapper John]

Thanks for posting this, Bro. I am going to forward this to a very dear friend that was a White Star operator. This will mean a lot to him.

On a similar note, there was a similar project in Cambodia and we lost many, many Cambodian allies when the US abandoned them. Another friend, CMDR(ret) Joe Procopio, and others were instrumental in rescuing these brave men and families and relocating them to the US (mostly TX and CA). Very few know of the sacrifices that these brave allies made for us in another "Secret War" and even fewer know of the efforts of men like Joe Procopio to help them. I also just recently learned that the Marine combat photographer, R J DelVecchio, makes an annual trip to Vietnam to assist former ARVN soldiers (ostracized in Vietnam and impoverished) obtain medical services.

I guess what really gets to me is the quiet, unsung efforts (often with no official support and at great personal expense) that many of our brothers in arms make to help the Hmong, Montangards, Cambodians, and ARVNs. These men reflect great honor upon us all and truly deserve recognition and our thanks.

Our allies have not forgotten us and we should not forget them. Thanks again, for the post - it hit home.