An organized demonstration in place to call on the US President to waive VP

[NceegVaj]

We all need to stop going to work tomorrow, show up to the Senators office and protest to the reasons as to why VP is not allowed.  Such a shame on the US.

[Reporter]

 

[Reporter]

Laos general's backers appeal over US burial snub

Members of the Hmong community react after viewing the open casket of Hmong war hero and community leader General Vang Pao on the second day of his five day funeral in Fresno, Central California on February 5, 2010. Vang Pao, who died last month in California at 81, led the CIA-backed "secret army" that assisted the United States during the Vietnam War.

File photo of former Hmong general Vang Pao, who died in January. Backers of Laotian general Vang Pao urged US President Barack Obama to let him be buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery, after military authorities rejected their request.

A large crowd of Hmong war veterans attend the funeral of Hmong war hero and community leader General Vang Pao in Fresno, Central California. His family and supporters had applied to the US military for a waiver to allow Vang Pao to be buried at Arlington, normally reserved for American veterans.
AFP - Backers of Laotian general Vang Pao appealed to US President Barack Obama to let him be buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery, after the US military rejected their request.

The call came on the second day of a traditional six-day funeral for the 81-year-old general -- who led a CIA-backed "secret army" helping the US during the Vietnam war -- in Fresno, California, where he died last month.

Thousands of ethnic Hmong from the US and overseas have gathered to pay their last respects, but ceremonies have been clouded by the decision to refuse Vang Pao an Arlington burial, announced as the funeral started Friday.

"We were very disappointed to hear that the request for the burial of General Vang Pao has been denied," said the Memorial Central Committee organizing the Hmong veteran's funeral.

"We hope President Obama and the defense secretary will allow a burial waiver for General Vang Pao," it added in a statement issued on behalf of "Vang Pao?s family, Hmong Americans, Vietnam war veterans and friends."

Charlie Waters, a friend of the late general, said that Senator John McCain, a Vietnam veteran himself, would see Vice-President Joe Biden on Monday to press him on Vang Pao's case.

"We're not buying the idea that Arlington is becoming full. There's space for a hero," said Korean war veteran Waters, adding that he would offer to give his own place in Arlington to Vang Pao.

Vang Pao led the Central Intelligence Agency-backed force that assisted the United States in Vietnam, during its ill-fated war with communist forces in the north of southeast Asian nation.

He died of pneumonia on January 6 in Fresno, one of the major hubs of the 250,000-strong Hmong community living in the United States, some 30-40,000 of whom live in the west coast state of California.

His family and supporters had applied to the US military for a waiver to allow Vang Pao to be buried at Arlington, normally reserved for American veterans.

On Friday the Pentagon said the family's Arlington request "was thoroughly reviewed by a board comprised of senior military and civilian officials" but it "unanimously recommended denial of the request for exception to policy."

But the memorial committee said general Vang Pao served the United States valiantly. "His exceptional service symbolizes the death of each soldier," the statement said.

"We strongly believe the right thing to do is to honor his contributions to the United States. He fought to protect America?s freedom, democracy, and justice."

It cited precedents including Iraqi Air Force captain Ali Hussam, killed in the Iraq war. "There are many others. General Vang Pao has contributed directly to the US military and deserves to be laid to rest at Arlington," it said.

One of Vang Pao's sons, 46-year-old Chai Vang, said he believed the Arlington decision could be reversed.

"As far as the family, we're really upset. He put his life and all of his efforts towards democracy in Laos," he told AFP before the appeal was issued, adding: "Anything can be reversed.

Vang Pao, a fierce opponent of the communist government in Vientiane, was also a controversial figure.

In 2007, he was arrested in California on charges of plotting to overthrow a foreign government after an undercover agent tried to sell him weapons at a Thai restaurant.

Prosecutors dropped their charges in 2009. A judge later ended the case for the remaining 11 Hmong Americans accused in the case amid persistent questions over the government's evidence.

[Reporter]

Vang Pao family decries Arlington burial denial


THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FRESNO, Calif. -- The family of former Laotian general and Hmong leader Vang Pao says it is "disgraceful" that the U.S. Army has denied a request that the U.S. ally in the Vietnam War be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In a statement released Saturday, the second day of a six-day funeral in Fresno for Pao, the family said the denial is a lesson in how the Obama administration honors America's allies.

Two California congressmen submitted the request shortly after he died at 81 on Jan. 6, saying Pao should be buried alongside the American soldiers he fought with in Laos.

Army Secretary John McHugh said Friday the request was turned down after a unanimous recommendation from a board of military and civilian officials.

It was not clear where Pao would be buried.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/05/2053167/vang-pao-family-decries-arlington.html#ixzz1DET34vbA

[Reporter]

Vang Pao's family at peace with denial of Arlington burial
Posted at 12:15 AM on Sunday, Feb. 06, 2011
By Stephen Magagnini - smagagnini@sacbee.com
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FRESNO – While some Vietnam veterans attacked the Army's refusal to bury Gen. Vang Pao at Arlington National Cemetery, his family said Saturday he might prefer resting closer to his Orange County home.

"He never expressed where he would like to be buried when he was alive," his eldest son, Francois Chao Vang, said on the second day of Vang's traditional Hmong funeral. "Maybe it's Father's wish that he stay here in California, close to family – if he's there no one can go to see him."

Vang, who died of heart failure Jan. 6, has been called the greatest general of the Vietnam War by some U.S. Special Forces veterans who fought alongside Vang's guerrilla army from 1961 to 1975.

More than 35,000 Hmong jungle fighters died battling the North Vietnamese army to a standstill at the Plain of Jars, and rescuing dozens of downed U.S. pilots along the Ho Chi Minh trail.

"He saved a lot of American lives," said Gene Rossel of Chino, who served in Laos from 1969 to 1970. Though the Army says Arlington, in Virginia, should be reserved for U.S. veterans, exceptions have been made. The 330,000 people buried there include 28 foreign nationals – including a German World War II POW – according to Arlington's website.
 
Fresno Bee

A war veteran salutes Gen. Vang Pao's casket in Fresno on Saturday. Vang, who died Jan. 6, was a beloved leader of Hmong forces during the Vietnam War. In recent years, he provided guidance to the Hmong community on a variety of issues.

Call The Bee's Stephen Magagnini, (916) 321-1072.


Another Vietnam era veteran, Carlos L'Dera of Bakersfield, called the Army's decision "outrageous," noting a variety of noncombatants are buried at Arlington, including an author and a North Pole explorer.

The Lao Veterans of America has asked Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to reconsider the decision. The Army's timing – on the first day of the general's funeral – "is sacrilege, insulting and insensitive to the Lao Hmong community and veterans," said Phil Smith, spokesman for the Lao Veterans. Bill Lair, the CIA agent who recruited Vang to lead 50,000 Hmong against the communists, called him "one of the greatest guerrilla fighters in the world."

Bob Noble, a pilot for Air America, the CIA's secret airline, said Vang "was my George Patton, I would have followed him anywhere. In 1961 we parachuted guns with no bolts to him on the Plain of Jars, and (Vang) foiled a coup against the royal family with guns that didn't work."

But as thousands of Hmong filled the Convention Center here to support Vang's soul on its journey through the spirit world – as is Hmong custom – his family was ready to move on.

"We shouldn't have to beg for it," said the general's seventh son, Sisouk Vang of Minnesota. "All the Hmong are saddened, but we're going to push forward."

Vang probably will be buried in Forest Lawn, 45 minutes from his Westminster home, said his eldest son, one of more than 400 surviving relatives.

"It's OK," said Vang's widow, May Song Vang, as traditional Hmong flute players ushered his spirit home.
"It's time to let go now."

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Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/02/06/2261681/vang-paos-family-at-peace-with.html#ixzz1DETJxlNS

[Reporter]

Just appeal and see.

[yomomma]

This is an example of how the "little guys" in the gov't/military do not want the burden of making a BIG DECISION like this.

The military committee that rejected the initial request are just pussies.

They are simply passing the buck up to the higher ups: namely Defense Secretary Robert Gates and President Obama.

Considering the political nature of this request, chances are the final say will fall on President Obama.

Senator McCain is suppose to bring up the topic first thing Monday morning at meeting with VP Joe Biden. Then Joe Biden will most likely take it up with Prez Obama. The meeting is tomorrow at 10am EST.

The final gov't decision should come within a day or two.

So it's important that people get their senators and house reps to put pressure on the White House and Defense Department. So call your reps today and tomorrow!