The Hmong and Lao Memorial, or Lao Veterans of America Monument, is a granite monument, bronze plaque and living memorial in Arlington National Cemetery in the US. Dedicated in May 1997, it is located in Section 2 on Grant Avenue between the path to the JFK memorial and the Tomb of the Unknowns, in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, in the United States. The Laos–Hmong memorial commemorates the veterans of the "Secret War" in Laos who fought against invading Soviet Union-backed North Vietnam Army forces of the People's Army of Vietnam and communist Pathet Lao guerrillas.
Approved by the U.S. Department of Defense, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Department of the Army, but designed and paid for privately by the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., the Lao Veterans of America Institute, and The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, the memorial stands as a tribute to the Hmong, Lao, other ethnic groups, and American clandestine and military advisers who made up the Secret War effort during the Vietnam War. The Lao Veterans of America, Inc. is the nation's largest ethnic Laotian- and Hmong-American veterans organization.
Ceremony honoring Hmong and Lao combat veterans and their American advisors at the memorial tree and plaque in Arlington National Cemetery (May 15, 2015)
Speakers and participants give remarks during a ceremony at the Laos Memorial honoring Hmong and Lao combat veterans and their American advisors(May 15, 2015).
Speaking at the 2015 anniversary of the memorial's dedication, Col. Joe A. Simonelli, Chief of Staff at Arlington National Cemetery, called the event "a powerful reminder of the actions of the Hmong, Lao and American service members who fought together as allies during the Vietnam war".
Attendees listen to speakers during a ceremony honoring Hmong and Lao combat veterans and their American advisors.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is one of two cemeteries in the United States National Cemetery System that are maintained by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres in Arlington County, Virginia.
An aerial view of Arlington National Cemetery's east entrance and the cemetery's Women's Military Memorial in August 2013
Officers of the 8th New York Infantry Regiment at Arlington House in June 1861, two months after the launch of the American Civil War
The Custis-Lee Mansion, originally known as Arlington House, with Union Army soldiers on its lawn during the American Civil War on June 28, 1864
Arlington National Cemetery and the Netherlands Carillon in December 2012