When the name Hmong is mentioned, most Americans have no clue to which it refers to. About forty years ago America fought a secret war, a war so secret that even Hollywood couldn’t have made it up. A war that utilized an indigenous people, the Hmong, living high in the mountains of Laos, to fight for an American cause next to another well known war, the Vietnam War, being fought in everyone’s living room. A war kept so secret that even most Vietnam Veterans fighting next door didn’t know about it.



In this secret war, over forty thousand Hmong soldiers perished as a result of their allegiance to the US. A war that was so vicious that more bombs were drop on 200 square miles then the entire arsenal dropped during WWII. The amount of destruction power equaled to three Hiroshima atom bombs (Shooting at the Moon, Roger Warner). After fifteen years of fighting the Americans decided that they have had enough of Southeast Asia. So one day they packed up and left. They not only took their secrets with them when they left, but their allies were left behind to fend for themselves. For thirty years 200,000 Hmong have been on the run from the Communist Laos who are bent on their extermination because of their alliance with the US.



Some time after WWII, I recalled hearing these words were uttered somewhere, “Never again.” These are just fancy words spoken by politicians. It’s been well documented by every reputable human rights agency that a continuing genocide campaign is being raged by the Laotian communist government against the Hmong. No matter how loud the screams it all falls on deaf ears. After all, this was a secret war that didn’t exits … until now. Covert American veterans are now coming out to tell their stories and to champion the Hmong for their courage that saved the lives of thousand of Americans.



As a Hmong, I should be bitter for the many broken promises, abandonment, and mistreatment of my people. For a while I was, but time changes everything. In life, “it happens”, and now it is the time to heal. It is time to extend an olive branch in hopes of reconciliation that will lead to better lives for the Hmong people.



The non-profit Library of Laos’s project headed by Mr. Francis J. Theusch, Chair of the Library Foundation and a Vietnam veteran, has an opportunity to build a library in Nong Het, Laos. This area is populated with mostly Hmong. The average daily wage in this area is less than $2 per day, one of the poorest in the world. Through exhaustive diplomatic building, the land has finally been approved and donated by the Laotian Government. Construction is slated to begin by late summer of 2006. Costs of the project will be firm at $35,000. Mr. Robert Curry, author of “Whispering Death” … our Journey with the Hmong in the Secret War for Laos, whose life was saved by the Hmong when his plane crashed over Northern Laos, has kindly agreed to donate proceeds from the sale of his book to help the cause. This group’s dedication has successfully constructed over a half a dozen libraries in Vietnam and one in southern Laos with very little corruption reported to date.



I am asking each and every one of you to see in your hearts to make a donation for this project, such a small price for so much healing and trust building. You can pledge your tax deductible donation at www.libraryoflaos.org . The program will expose children to the wonder of computers, books, and education. Your donation will bring a smile into the face of a child flipping through the pages of a new book.



We have a choice to help our people in need or to do nothing. Let’s take this opportunity to make a change. If you know of anyone who is passionate about the plight of the Hmong people and want to make a difference, please pass this letter on to them. If there are any questions please contact me.

What about the needs of those trap in the jungles? Why are hmong people such SOBs always coming up with ideas to help their enemies, claiming to help their own?

I wish I could help those trapped in the Jungle. My heart bleeds for them. To make it clear, as I stated in my other blog, I am NOT interested in propping up any Government. What I am saying is that my love for the Hmong people is greater than my hatred of the Government. All I care about is giving a new generation of Hmong kids an opportunity to have a better life than their parents. I don’t care about the politics that I cannot control. The status quo of fear and hatred over the past thirty years has done nothing to advance the Hmong in Laos while education has propelled the Hmong in the US into the twentieth century.

Brothers and sisters, I also feel the pain, war does horrible things to people that are unexplainable and I don’t even try to pretend to understand how each and everyone of us feel.

But unless we have an army and an air forces hidden somewhere in our backyard then we need to find a better way to help. We have two choices, we can collect money and buy some military hard ware and send it to the resistance in Laos, and yes they will kill some government forces here and there. But ultimately they will be on the run for another 30 years living in the jungle wondering when the next shipment of arms will come to their rescue. Or we can take a chance on peace, become educated and become an economic power.

If you have any ideas how to help the Hmong in the jungle of Laos, I am willing to listen.

Do you really love your people enough and are you willing to surrender your life for them? And what do you hope to gain for yourself in giving those people the opportunity?

I'm tired of trying to solve things the peaceful way because it never gets anything done. GVP and many other government officials in exile has the right to exercise their power but they chosed not to do anything. Worst, the world knows about the ongoing operations by the LPDR and its ally Vietnam, but they also did nothing to stop murders. Thai people digging up hmong graves and no one can stop them. Hmong people are such pathetic scums, worst than dirt... The talks of helping our people and pretending nothing goes on behind the scene is just pure ignorance. If you are going to start an organization that raises money, train, and to champion for human rights. I'm all for it.

I sympathize with everything that you have said. I agree that all the reports of Hmong atrocity have falling on deaf ears as far as politicians are concerned.

Each one of us must decide for our self what we can and cannot do for the Hmong. I have made the choice to assist in their education and economic development. What I hope to gain is pride in knowing that with education Hmong have endless opportunities to make choices and to be respected as productive citizens. My rewards are intrinsic and not monetary.

I am putting my money where my mouth is by initiating this project to build a library in a heavy Hmong populated area. Please join me. If you have any other concerns let me know and I will do my best to answer them.

:) Your idea, if I understand you correctly, is a non-political project to help our Hmong brothers and sisters in Laos. If true, I applaud your steps to having education be the avenue to a better life and future. How far along are you with this project?

Thank you for the vote of confidence. At this time, the first library has been completed in Pakxe City, in the Champasak Province. Mr. Lytou Bouapao, Director General of the Ministry of Education, Vientiane, Laos, and a Hmong suggested Nong Het as the next city to benefit as it was considered to be one of the poorest areas in Laos and inhabited by mostly Hmong. The land and the permits have been granted. Fund raising has started. Mr. Ross Worley, a Vietnam veteran, who served in Laos, has agreed to match dollar for dollar up to half of the $35,000 required for construction. Several VAs has pledged up to a thousand dollars. This leaves aproximately $17,000 needed to complete the project. The price of a single car.

Mr. Robert Curry, Author of “Whispering Death … our journey with the Hmong in the secret war of Laos”, has agreed to donate funds to the library project with proceeds from the sales of his book. Some chapters of this book was written by Hmong relating their personal experiences in the war. I encourage every Hmong to buy and read this book, as it will give you a heartfelt insight into the conflict. www.libraryoflaos.org

Don't be surprise if the government sees it as political tool that threatens them.

There is always that possibility; however, it is FACT that the library program has successfully completed over a dozen libraries in SE Asia. The latest being in Laos, to date no corruptions has been reported.

Your statement from the above reply suggested that you would support an organization who champion human rights, “If you are going to start an organization that raises money, train, and to champion for human rights. I'm all for it.”

The definition of the goals of a library according to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are:
The promotion of human rights and peace
The promotion of cultural dialogues
The protection of the environment
The fight against illiteracy, by closing the gap between developed and undeveloped countries

These ideals all fit within your definition.

I can tell you a passionate person, If I can convince you of the legittimacy of this program, then I believe you will make a great champion. Can I have your support?

I had some questions concerning this project when I first communicated with Mr. Theusch, I have asked him for clarification which I will share with you.

QUESTION #1:

THERE IS A GENERAL DISTRUST BETWEEN THE HMONGS AND THE
CURRENT LAO GOVT. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THIS?

ANSWER:

A.) STATUS AS AMERICAN WAR VETERANS

AS AN AMERICAN VETERAN OF THE WAR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, AND WITH OUR GROUP INCLUDING VETERANS FOR THE MOST PART (TO INCLUDE BOB CURRY, AUTHOR OF "WHISPERING DEATH, A JOURNEY WITH THE HMONG" AND VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, AMONG OTHERS) WE HAVE A SPECIAL STANDING TO GO FORWARD WITH OUR PROJECTS IN COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ONE HAND, THE HMONG ON THE OTHER.

B.) PAST PERFORMANCE? CURRENT RELATIONSHIPS ALREADY ESTABLISHED

WE HAVE 4 COMPLETED PROJECTS IN LAOS IN CHAMPASAK, SAVANNAKET AND DONGMAKHAI. IN THE COURSE OF THIS WE HAVE BUILT GOOD RELATIONS WITH OFFICIALS. WE HAVE A TRACK RECORD, AND WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR INSURING RESULTS.

MADAME KONGDEUANE NETTAVONG, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LAOS, IS THE MOTHER THERESA OF EDUCATION & READING IN LAOS, AND SHE HANDLES OUR ACTUAL ON THE GROUND WORK

LYTOU BUOPAO, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION IS HMONG. IT WAS HE WHO ADVISED THAT AMONG THE GENERAL PVERTY OF LAOS, NONG HET AND HMONG AND ETHNIC MINORITIES WERE MOST IN NEED OF SUCH APROJECT, WE SHOUL BUIL THE NEXT PROJECT THERE. SO I WENT TO NONG HET TWICE. THE GROUNDWORK IS LAID.


QUESTION #2:

Whose PROJECT IS THIS AND WHAT ARE THE MOTIVATIONS AND/OR AGENDA?

ANSWER:

THIS A JOINT PROJECT FOR POSTERITY BETWEEN THE HMONG AND AMERICAN PEOPLES. IT "BELONGS" TO FUTURE GENERATIONS OF HMONG CHILDREN IN LAOS, AS WELL AS THE CURRENT GENERATIONS WHO HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH.

THE AGENDA IS PEACE AND PROSPERITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. THIS HISTORY OF AMERICA AS A NATION OF PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE THEIR GOOD FORTUNE AND FEEL A HUMAN OBLIGATION TO SHARE IT IS OUR FOUNDATION. WE AMERICANS OWE THIS TO AOUR FATHERS NOT OUR SONS. THIS PROJECT IS MOTIVATED BY TRANSCENDENT IDEALS OF OUR AFFIRMATIVE OBLIGATION TO HELP OUR FELLOW MAN, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED ON OUR BEHALF. GRATITUDE
AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING....NOT PETTY TEMPORAL CONCERNS OF PERSONAL COMFORT OR FLEETING FAME AND POWER FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE MAKING IT HAPPENS.


CT

Not taking anything at face value, I did my own independent research. No red flags. All searches are postive.
Knowledge is power. Education is the vehicle. The library would be the source.

You can count on me.

ppasta

Thank you for your support, ppasta. I believe that there are many out there who also have faith in the power of knowledge. If you are reading this and would like more information or to contribute, please visit www.libraryoflaos.org.

At this time, I am not asking anyone for a large some of money, just $2 per month, the amount of change found between cushions of your sofa. This sum makes it reachable for everyone. In addition, you may stop donating at anytime if you feel the library foundation is not living up to its mission. I will keep everyone updated on a quarterly basis.

I would like to thank all of those who have responded and to those who have silently viewed this proposal. I ask that each of you tell five friends about this thread so that they may judge for themselves. This small pebble will start a ripple that will unite us. Let’s take that leap of faith.

I think Politics is well beyond yours and my own expertise. However I can say that alot of times if you wish to achieve a goal, you sometimes have to sleep with the enemy. You remember the recent film " The Constant Gardner "? The heroine literally slept with the enemy so she could get the information needed to get her own agenda done.

Likewise, the Lao Gov. will not permit a new library in Nong Net. But from the looks of things, the Library group established 4 other libraries first, in non Hmong populated area. Really its a win win for both sides, the Lao gov. gets some library in exchange for one that can benefit some Hmong.

If there's anything to learn from history, learn that these people are not easily bought with just mere libraries. What you folks are doing is supporting the "kneel on your knees and kiss their feets" policy, you're only yielding to their desires and agendas. I'll say one more time, if you have better funds to do, spend it and invest here(USA). There's a shortage of fundings for our schools and can surely use that kind of money.

I can't imagine closing my eyes and give in into helping my enemy that slaughters thousands of men, women, and children indescriminantly. They're as bad as the japanese during WWII, the nanking massacre... Perhaps, you folks has not seen the image and trauma of our people to know such trauma and psychological aftermath that our parents suffer. Breaks my heart to see people who's willing to help the enemy to prosper from their great acts of crime against humanity.

Building libraries is by no means suitable under such cause for humanity for such a government in this case. Think about government censorships, if you think America's is bad, the LPDR's is much worst. And how can you be sure that such information will be available to the common people and not censor out? Don't think that this plan will make the people of laos responsible people with a conscience. You don't have to look further to know that this countries policy is to make people follow a path and not to understand them.

Those who do nothing, should not complain about what others are doing.