MINNEAPOLIS -- A new memorial at Fort Snelling is the first of its kind in the country.
Saturday afternoon, a plaque unveiling and dedication ceremony took place at Airborne Circle. The stone recognizes the Southeast Asian veterans who supported and fought for the United States in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
It reads, "Special operations are performed in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and require covert, clandestine, or low visibility capabilities. They may be performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military forces." It goes on to list the special forces.
"We played a crucial role supporting American war in Vietnam," said Toufu Vang, a lieutenant colonel who served as a translator and cabinet chief to former Laotian General Vang Pao.
He went on to say, "Our mission was to stop, harass, Vietnamese troops moving down into South Vietnam. We provided intelligence on communist troops' movement in Laos and on the border of Vietnam."
Vang, who now lives in Woodbury, was 27-years-old when he was recruited into the military. He said he wanted to stop communism from expanding.
"There were not too many officers who spoke English at that time. So I happened to be the right man at the right time," he said.
Several groups worked on the plaque for a year. Private donations paid for the $8,000 memorial.
It's a proud moment for Capt. Boua Hue Vang, president of the Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) Veterans and Families of USA, Inc.
"Today we had Hmong, SGU, Laotian, Cambodian... USA, we combine together to celebrate," Vang said.
Retired Sgt. Major John W. Roy of Apple Valley served in several wars, including the Vietnam War. Roy spent time with special forces in Laos.
"We consider them almost like American soldiers," said Roy.
He went on to say, "They were the effort. Because we only had 8-man teams when we were there."
Many Southeast Asian veterans said they appreciate the formal recognition.
"It's an honor, okay. We are proud that Americans now recognize Asian contribution, Asian helping them during the Vietnam War. And for the first time, they recognize, not just individual country, but Southeast Asian allies," Vang said.
April 30, 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
