05/14/2026
Today is Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin. Annually, on May 14th, the contributions and sacrifices of Hmong-Lao veterans who fought valiantly alongside Americans during the Vietnam War are recognized and remembered.
As the state's largest Asian American ethnic group, more than 58,000 people of Hmong and Lao descent live in Wisconsin. The Badger State is currently home to the country’s third-largest Hmong Lao American population. The vibrant and distinct cultures of Hmong and Southeast Asian American communities in Wisconsin, from families who have lived in Wisconsin for generations to recent immigrants and refugees, have become a unique representation of our state’s cultural identity.
In 2024, Wisconsin Act 205 was signed into law, allowing those admitted to the United States under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act to have their veteran status indicated on a driver’s license or identification card. While the act does not extend federal veterans' benefits, it allows these veterans access to certain state-level benefits, such as tuition assistance, grants, and fee waivers, by defining their status under Wisconsin law.
Governor Evers also signed an executive order directing flags at Wisconsin facilities to fly at half-staff on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in observance of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day.
