General's death a severe blow to Hmong community

Hmong community members didn't try to hide their emotions Friday night during a candlelight vigil to mourn Vang Pao.

Several broke down in tears as they honored the man they described as a "great leader, and a great general." He had been called "the George Washington of his country," Laos.

About 300 Hmong community members and non-Hmong residents crammed into the Lao Family Community Center in Merced for a ceremony that was followed by the vigil. There, they praised the general, who later became a well-tailored unofficial ambassador for his people in America.

Veterans and those who fought alongside Vang called his death a tremendous blow to their community.

Wameng Xiong, who served under the general for 15 years, said he will never forget how Vang looked out for his troops. "He loved and cared for his soldiers," he said. "He means everything to me."

Merced resident Maisee Vang said Vang Pao was a larger-than-life figure whose boots will be hard to fill. "Even though we have a lot of educated young people, the passion, the love and the care for everyone would not be the same," she said, teary-eyed.

The legendary 81-year-old leader died Thursday afternoon of heart failure atClovis Community Medical Center after a battle with pneumonia. Among his many accomplishments, Vang helped Hmong refugees move to the United States for a new beginning after the communist victory in Laos and Vietnam in 1975. In addition, he galvanized a new generation of Hmong activists who vigorously protested his June 2007 arrest on charges of plotting the overthrow of the government of Laos.

Maisee Vang wouldn't have come to this country in 1987 if it wasn't for Vang Pao. She said the general not only influenced her life, but in the lives of all Hmong. "He made the world know that we are Hmong," she said through an interpreter.

Because of Vang Pao's efforts, Maisee Vang said she was able to upgrade her life in the U.S. and her children were able to receive an education.

Merced resident Sam Paul Moua, who served under the general, said he was always loyal to Vang. "I was his soldier, so I would do anything to support him," he said through an interpreter.

Moua said the general changed his life in many ways. "No. 1, I'm able to see the advancements of this country," he said. "No. 2, I'm able to see the democracy of this country."

Atwater resident Sely Xiong also lavished praise on the general. "The general transformed my life into the new society of a developed country, the technologies that we have today and the advancements of the Hmong women today," she said.

Xiong said she's not sure if Vang will ever be replaced in the hearts and minds of his countrymen. If he is, she said, it will take a long time.

Merced City Councilman Noah "Pour" Lor said the general's death has left a hole in the Hmong community. "It's a great loss for all of us, but eventually everybody may be able to overcome this loss," he added.

The Lao Family Community Center remained open all day Friday for residents to provide comfort and support for one another.

The Fresno Bee contributed to this report.

Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at (209) 388-6507, or yamaro@mercedsun-star.com.

This story was originally published January 8, 2011 at 12:13 AM with the headline "General's death a severe blow to Hmong community."