U.S. Volunteers of America Brigade
In Appleton, Wisconsin
By Debby Tewes
A few weeks back, I received an invitation to attend a banquet to share
an evening with an old friend, Maj. Jim Strong Ret. U.S. Army Reserve. He
was invited to be a guest of the U.S. Volunteers of America Brigade of
Appleton, a group of citizens who take training in various duties, primary of
which are providing final military honors for veterans and their families.
They can also take additional training — usually provided by a local police
training facility — to prepare for volunteer duties with Homeland Security to
assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in times of
crisis and also training with the American Red Cross. This is also a way they
can participate in their adopted homeland's security and commemorate the
invaluable services they performed during the Vietnam conflict. Many of
the men at the banquet served in this conflict including Maj.(USV-A) Chong
Ye Vang, who guarded many military sites from 1964 to 1975. The
assignments provided protection to American soldiers and included a
rescue of American pilots and their safe return to their home base.
Membership to this volunteer organization doesn’t require former military
service. I think it appeals to the Hmong and Vietnamese because it does
convey a sense of military belonging and they can wear a military-style
uniform. The Hmong have never been properly recognized for the services
they performed for the U.S. during the Vietnam War and of course, the war
in Laos didn’t officially exist! I sensed a great pride in the Hmong volunteers
and they take the membership quite seriously.
Driving to Appleton Jan. 12 was a challenge, given the cars streaming to
Green Bay and the snow that grew thicker as I got nearer to Appleton. I
almost turned around at one point when multiple cars were going into
ditches and snarling traffic but decided this was important. Jim and I were
warmly greeted and I even recognized a couple of old friends from
Milwaukee which was an added bonus. Other distinguished guests included
State Representative Steve Wieckert, Officer Lee from the Sheriff's
Department and Ramasamy Muthiah for Rep. Steve Kagen. The invitation
was issued to us by Lt. Col. Zong Vang Thao. We also were introduced to
Brig. General Nam Nguyen, Homeland Securit; and Brig. General Tan
Trang, Assistant Commanding Forces. These titles are all within the
framework of USV-A but these men and women gladly serve and wear
modified military uniforms. This is a source of great pride for all the men
and women who serve with the organization. It was a great evening of great
camaraderie and I was pleased to be a part of it.
(And, oh yes, as we all know, the Packers won; we received updates all
through dinner).
A few weeks back, I received an invitation to attend a banquet to share
an evening with an old friend, Maj. Jim Strong Ret. U.S. Army Reserve. He
was invited to be a guest of the U.S. Volunteers of America Brigade of
Appleton, a group of citizens who take training in various duties, primary of
which are providing final military honors for veterans and their families.
They can also take additional training — usually provided by a local police
training facility — to prepare for volunteer duties with Homeland Security to
assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in times of
crisis and also training with the American Red Cross. This is also a way they
can participate in their adopted homeland's security and commemorate the
invaluable services they performed during the Vietnam conflict. Many of
the men at the banquet served in this conflict including Maj.(USV-A) Chong
Ye Vang, who guarded many military sites from 1964 to 1975. The
assignments provided protection to American soldiers and included a
rescue of American pilots and their safe return to their home base.
Membership to this volunteer organization doesn’t require former military
service. I think it appeals to the Hmong and Vietnamese because it does
convey a sense of military belonging and they can wear a military-style
uniform. The Hmong have never been properly recognized for the services
they performed for the U.S. during the Vietnam War and of course, the war
in Laos didn’t officially exist! I sensed a great pride in the Hmong volunteers
and they take the membership quite seriously.
Driving to Appleton Jan. 12 was a challenge, given the cars streaming to
Green Bay and the snow that grew thicker as I got nearer to Appleton. I
almost turned around at one point when multiple cars were going into
ditches and snarling traffic but decided this was important. Jim and I were
warmly greeted and I even recognized a couple of old friends from
Milwaukee which was an added bonus. Other distinguished guests included
State Representative Steve Wieckert, Officer Lee from the Sheriff's
Department and Ramasamy Muthiah for Rep. Steve Kagen. The invitation
was issued to us by Lt. Col. Zong Vang Thao. We also were introduced to
Brig. General Nam Nguyen, Homeland Securit; and Brig. General Tan
Trang, Assistant Commanding Forces. These titles are all within the
framework of USV-A but these men and women gladly serve and wear
modified military uniforms. This is a source of great pride for all the men
and women who serve with the organization. It was a great evening of great
camaraderie and I was pleased to be a part of it.
(And, oh yes, as we all know, the Packers won; we received updates all
through dinner).
(l-r) Maj. Jim Strong (U.S. Army Ret). and Lt. Col
Zong Vang Thao
Zong Vang Thao
(Left) Brig. Gen Nam
Nguyen;
Nguyen;
Major Her (1st Wis. Brigade Chaplain); State Rep.
Steve Wieckert; Capt. Vang (1st Brigade
S3-Operations Officer)
Steve Wieckert; Capt. Vang (1st Brigade
S3-Operations Officer)
(l-r) Deputy Wang Lee (Outagamie County
Sheriff’s Dept. and School Liaison Officer for
Kimberly School District) and Brigadier Gen Tan
Trang of Houston
Sheriff’s Dept. and School Liaison Officer for
Kimberly School District) and Brigadier Gen Tan
Trang of Houston
A group shot
| Major Chong Ye Yang |