Today is Hmong American Day in the City of Manitowoc.
For those who do not know anything about Hmong history, their existence in the United States stems from the secret war conducted in Laos during the Vietnam War.
During his Manitowoc City Updates yesterday (May 13th) on 107.9 FM WOMT, and 97.1 FM WCUB, Mayor Justin Nickels explained that “More than 40,000 Hmong men were enlisted by the Central Intelligence Agency as allies to the US Military to fight communist forces operating in Laos and Vietnam, and sustained large numbers of casualties and forced relocations.”
As a token of their appreciation, the U.S. government allowed Hmong refugees to settle in America, with many of them coming to the Midwest, and more specifically Wisconsin. The reason for that is simple, there was already an established Vietnamese and Laotian presence in Wausau.
From there, many moved to other locations throughout the state, including Manitowoc County.
“The assimilation of tradition into the realities of current surroundings has resulted in a distinctive Hmong American Culture,” Nickles stated. “Hmong people make up Manitowoc’s largest single minority ethnic group, and are helping to build a vibrant and diverse Wisconsin, contributing socially, politically, and economically to our state.”
The City of Manitowoc is only the second city in the State to recognize Hmong American Day.
Mayor Nickels called on the citizens of his city to take some time today to recognize and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions the Hmong people have made to our city.
