Remembrances of Gen. Vang Pao

MPR News reached out to sources in our Public Insight Network and asked them to share their remembrances of Gen. Vang Pao and what this means for the Hmong community in the U.S. going forward.

General Vang Pao was a legendary war hero and will always be remembered as the "Founding Father" of the Hmong in America. He is our "George Washington." General Vang Pao was quite humorous. Not many people know him to crack 'jokes' or say funny things because he was always so serious in public but he's quite humorous in private settings. I never knew that until I had the honor to have lunch with him at the same table in the summer of 2008.
- Thai Lee, Lino Lakes

Even though the most recent events involving the General were not in the best interest of the United States and the nation of Laos, I will still remember General Vang Pao as a hero for the Hmong people. Regardless of where most Hmong people are residing in the world, everyone will forever remember his name and the magnanimous contribution he has given to the Hmong people. I am proud to have lived in his era and I will be indebted to his unparalleled fight for freedom and unity for the Hmong people.
- Xai Lor, Blaine

I may not have always agreed with him all the time...but he challenged me to be a better man, a better Hmong, a better husband, and a far better human being. Even to his death, never let the U.S. government or anyone tell him how to live his life, lived the way he wanted to, and took the Hmong on one hell of a ride. And the ride is not over yet....only to be continued.
- Cher Peng Her, Madison, WI

I did not know him personally, I have heard mixed reviews about his political views and leadership growing up, but, I will remember him as a forefather of our Hmong legacy. He is the face of our people whether or not people regard him as such. Though most of his accomplishments will never be known to many of us who are young and first-born Americans, we will pass down to our kids that he was a man who led and gave us opportunities to reach a wealthy nation like USA. Though our parents and grandparents carried us on their backs across the Mekong River, it was General Vang Pao who gave our ancestors opportunities they wouldn't have had if it had not been for him. Growing up, he became an old-fashioned traditional icon. I've westernized myself and have grown to be Hmong-American. My family is now what matters the most. Much of the young generation will not care as much, it'll be another death remembered and another closing to a chapter in Hmong history that haunts us until today.
- Mary Vang, Hugo

I think that his death marks the official end of an era. It seemed like he was the political tie that kept some Hmong Americans connected to their homeland. With his death and the aging Hmong community, the personal and political ties to Laos will diminish.
- Mai Vang, St. Paul

Gen. Vang Pao was a leader in that he led thousands of Hmong immigrants to America. It's a great loss for the community and a sad time. I was born in Laos but grew up here. My generation is more mixed in their outlook. We have a different way of looking at leadership. I don't know if anyone will replace him. How will our generation produce the next leaders? It's an open-ended question at this point in time. What is the role of a leader? How will it benefit the community?
- Neng Lee, St. Paul

I believe this has a huge impact on the Hmong community of all generations, greater impact on the elders, more so on the Lao/Vietnam Veterans than any others. I recall on Jan. 1st, my 16 year old daughter informed me that Gen. Vang Pao passed away so I called my mother, who lives in WI to confirm this. She assured me that he hadn't passed away and that he was making progress. But what my mother said to me that day I will never forget. She said, "If Gen. Vang Pao dies, Hmong people will be left without a president. He led us here to the United States, without him we wouldn't be here, and if he's gone, the white people will not respect us anymore because we have no leader now." He will truly be missed but his legend will live on.
- Laura Vang, Brooklyn Center

Share your remembrance of Gen. Vang Pao.