‘Unsung’ soldiers who aided US in Laos don’t have veteran status. Wisconsin lawmakers want that to change.

During the Vietnam War, the American military secretly recruited fighters in Laos to aid in a fight against Communist forces.

But, half a century later, those soldiers lack official recognition as veterans.

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers wants that to change. State legislators heard testimony Tuesday on a proposal that would extend state-level veterans benefits to people who fought for the U.S. in Laos between 1961 and 1975, during what was often referred to as the “Secret War.”

Those fighters belong to the Hmong ethnic group, and they’ve since settled as refugees in places including Wisconsin.

After Minnesota and California, Wisconsin has the third largest Hmong-American population of any U.S. state, and state Sen. André Jacque, R-De Pere, said it’s past-time to acknowledge that group’s wartime contributions.

“The most significant impact of this legislation is not one of financial benefits, but of the respect finally conveyed, not just in words, but in Wisconsin law,” Jacque, a sponsor of the legislation said. “Most importantly, this legislation provides long overdue recognition and appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of these unsung heroes.”

Hundreds of Hmong veterans have settled in Wisconsin

The bill would not extend federal veterans benefits to soldiers who once aided the U.S. in Laos with roles including intelligence-gathering and combat.

But it would define them as veterans under state law, making them eligible for certain Wisconsin programs designated for veterans, including grants, tuition assistance and licensing fee waivers.

The proposal would provide state veterans status to people who received U.S. citizenship under federal legislation known as the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000.

As many as 1,000 Hmong former soldiers could be affected by the change in status, according to testimony submitted with the bill.

Many of those fighters were teens and even pre-teens when they risked persecution and their lives to aid American soldiers, said Paul Fist of the Wisconsin American Legion.

Some have already died of old age, and more will certainly follow suit, Fist warned.

“Those veterans that were once kids are getting older, just like all of us,” Fist said during testimony in support of the bill. “It’s time to give them some formal recognition.”

A similar version of the bill died last session without making it to a floor vote. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers did sign legislation last year, however,
which allows former Hmong soldiers to list veteran’s status on their driver’s licenses.

The latest version of the legislation was the second bill to be introduced in Wisconsin’s state Senate this legislative session. And Rep. Dave Murphy, a Republican co-sponsor from Greenville, said he’s confident the proposal will cross the finish line this time around.

“We can’t say we didn’t have enough time in this session, because we’re bringing it out early,” the Greenville Republican said. “We’re going to get it done.”