Lt. Wang Ma Yang, SGU Veteran, Coon Rapids, MN

Lt. Wang Ma Yang SGU Veteran Coon Rapids, MN File No.: 27/50 March 2024 PROJECT TITLE Collect, Document, and Record SGU Veterans’ Oral History Project BRIEF SUMMARY A grant to collect, document, archive, preserve, and make available to the public the oral histories/stories of the Hmong Special Guerrilla Units veterans and their wives/widows. PURPOSE The purpose of this SGU Veterans’ Oral Story Project is to archive, collect, document, and record oral stories of the Hmong Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) veterans. To this day their oral stories still remain largely undocumented. Without any real effort in this humanitarian work, the Hmong of Minnesota is at risk of losing an important generation that has contributed to the vibrant culture, history, and story that partially defined today’s Minnesota. Moreover, there is a sense of urgency for this Project due to the Hmong veterans’ health and aging population. Plus, the Covid pandemic has taken a toll on this veteran’s group. This work is funded by the Cultural Heritage Grants and is administered by the Minnesota Historical Society. This grant was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. Warning: Some descriptions from this story may be graphic. Viewer discretion is advised. More information is available at www.sguveterans.org/oral-history-project.