Do not let Democrats abandon Israel, Iraq, freedom.
Men who say they fought a secret war for the C.I.A. are still on the run with their families in the mountain jungles of Laos.
Posted on 12/17/2007 3:53:53 AM PST by ricks_place
VIENTIANE PROVINCE, Laos — They call themselves America’s forgotten soldiers.
Four decades after the Central Intelligence Agency hired thousands of jungle warriors to fight Communists on the western fringes of the Vietnam War, men who say they are veterans of that covert operation are isolated, hungry and periodically hunted by a Laotian Communist government still mistrustful of the men who sided with America.
“If I surrender, I will be punished,” said Xang Yang, a wiry 58-year-old still capable of crawling nimbly through thick bamboo underbrush. “They will never forgive me. I cannot live outside the jungle because I am a former American soldier.”
In a small hillside clearing about nine miles east of the Mekong River, Mr. Yang and four other veterans scratch out a primitive existence with their wives and 50 children and grandchildren. Their hidden jungle encampment is a 15-hour walk up and down low-lying mountains from the nearest paved road, across streams that are knee-deep in the dry season but can become roaring torrents when the monsoon comes.
Mr. Yang said his group had been attacked by the Laotian Army twice this year. In September, soldiers killed a 5-year-old boy, whose grave is on the outskirts of the camp. In May, a predawn raid killed a woman and her 2-year-old child. The group moves camp every few weeks to avoid attack, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I would rather we bring these Hmong home to America to be Americans rather than allow one more illegal border crosser in. The Hmong were our allies in Vietnam, it’s a shame we have left them there. The Hmong are correct in being concerned about hearing news reports that Vietnam and America are now friends. We should not be friends with any communist country. It’s depressing.
More freedom loving citizens forsaken by the media, the Defeatists in Washington and those who called for a communist victory. Jane Fonda, be proud.
PS: Five guys, 50 kids? At least they found one thing to do in the jungle! Go for it guys!
I’m really suprised NYT did this article. Seems like you can only get news on the Hmong for Soldier of Fortune.
But, but, but Jon F’n Carry said notning happened after we left...
they all learn fast!
That’s correct Dimez: I also subscribe to SOLDIER OF FORTUNE and I only read the story of the Hmong in the mag itself, & almost no other articles are written about them.
It is shameful to me that we would let our friends end up like this. Heartbreaking.
If we won’t let them get visas to America...at least, ARM THEM and send them food so they can fend for themselves.
Lol!
On a serious note, if the five original rebels had 3 children each, and if most of those children went on to have about 3 children each, the total number of children and grandchildren sired by the original five rebels would easily exceed 50 (closer to 60).
Amen Tony.
Maybe they have had an epiphany but I'll lay my money on their desire to give the US Military and the CIA a black eye.
Like kerry, they have no shame.
I was quite surprised to see this on the NY Times front page.
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