MADISON, Wis. — This year, Hmong American Day will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
It marks 50 years of collaboration between Laos and the United States and 50 years since the Vietnam War.
Dressed in traditional Hmong clothing, hundreds of Hmong community members from across Wisconsin and beyond made their way to Madison on Saturday to celebrate and remember the lives that were lost.
“That is why you see a lot of beautiful clothes, a lot of young men, old men, patriotic men, to celebrate our freedoms day,” said Dr. Douglas Vue, chairman of the Hmong 50-year celebration.
Vue said during the Vietnam War, many did not survive, and this celebration is meant to honor them.
“We celebrate for happiness, for sadness, for joy and also for sorrow for everything in the Hmong history day,” said Vue.
Wisconsin has the third largest Hmong population, after California and Minnesota. In 2020, the Wisconsin population of persons who identified as Hmong alone or Hmong in combination with another race was 62,331.
The celebration saw many generations of soldiers who served alongside the U.S. Military.
Cimingmao Lor is currently serving as a captain in the United States Army.
“These men have fought to protect us alongside the United States Army during the Vietnam War, so I can’t be happier to be here, and I am very blessed,” said Lor.
Brandon Yang represents the Yang Clan in Wisconsin.
He said Saturday’s event was not only a celebration of the collaboration with the United States and Laos, but also the State of Wisconsin.
“It is amazing to live here. This is truly a country of the free and a country of opportunity here in America. It is great,” said Yang.
Yang said he came to the U.S. in the ‘80s and at that time, he had to get used to the change in climate. Now, he has grown to love Wisconsin and is happy to call it home.
“In Thailand and Laos, it is like summer all year round; in Wisconsin, it is like a whole different ball game,” said Yang. “It is crazy, you know December, it is very cold.”