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REQUESTING CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEMORIAL
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Royal Lao Veterans, Minnesota Chapter is a non-profit organization comprised of all Lao people regardless of ethnicity, sex, age and religious affiliation, including:
• Former officers and members of the Royal Lao Armed Forces (Air Force, Fluvial Navy, Regular and Irregular Forces, and Special Guerrilla Units).
• Former officers and members of the Police,
• Former officials of the Royal Lao government,
• Business, students, professionals, farmers, laborers, and those residing overseas.
The Royal Lao Veterans of Minnesota was organized by Lao veterans who fled the country after the end of the “Secret War” of Laos. To meet the challenge of social, family and personal adjustment to the new society, the former members of the Royal Lao Armed Forces formed this self-help organization. An important purpose of the organization is to create awareness in the general public concerning the rights and fairness regarding services and benefits to which we are entitled.We are the veterans who served in the Royal Lao Armed Forces and fought bravely for freedom and democracy together with the American forces and allies during the “Secret War” of Laos.
The immediate and urgent need is a monetary contribution from all members of the former Royal Lao Armed Forces, police and government officials, as well as people of all ethnic groups from Laos residing in the United States and other countries to build a veterans memorial for all Royal Lao veterans.
The Memorial will be built in front of the Minnesota State Capital in Saint Paul, Minnesota, after funding is secured. This memorial is a combined project between the Lao, Hmong and the State of Minnesota. It will tell the history of the war in Laos. This is the first memorial in the nation which will be designed by former veterans of all ethnic groups from Lao.
The name for the memorial will be “MINNESOTA MEMORIAL OF THE SECRET WAR IN LAOS”. The name was voted by the memorial committee.
The memorial statue will be designed by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to fit the history of the War in Laos. “NOT JUST ONE ETHNIC GROUP.”
The estimate cost of the memorial will be approximately $1,000,000.00. So far, a State of Minnesota Bonding Bill was allocated $15,000.00 to the project.
The Royal Lao Veterans Minnesota Chapter has committed to raise $25,000.00 itself. The Hmong Veterans have to raise $75,000.00 for their part. The balance of the cost, which is around $800,000, will be raised by the Lao and the Hmong together.
The memorial symbolizes the historical significance and the indebtedness of the presentLao generation to the Lao war heroes and people for their valor and honor in the joint
military struggles with the American forces. This memorial will affirm the Lao veterans’
place in history.
It is for these compelling reasons, the Royal Lao Veterans of Minnesota Chapter requests
generous monetary contributions from all organizations. Lao Veteran Associations in the
United States, Lao living in other countries, Lao Buddhist associations and temples,
churches, businesses and individuals are invited to be part of this project through their
generous contribution.
If you wish to contribute your money, please write a check payable to LAO VETERANS
OF MINNESOTA, and send it to Lao Veterans of MN, C/O Lao Cultural Center, 2648
West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Of course your contribution is TAX
DEDUCTABLE.
Thank you so much and we hope you will partner with us for this worthy project.
Regards,
Khao Insixiengmay
Chairman of Board
612-302-9048
Executive Director
763-535-0986