Our father Charlie (Chang Ger) Yang, was born in 08/18/1953, in Laos, to Bla Xue Yang and Sue Vang. His parents had a total of 5 sons and 4 daughters. After Charlie's eldest brother went to join General Vang Pao's SGU to fight in the Secret War in Laos 1962. He went to school in Thailand. He soon followed in his brother's footsteps and joined in 1968. Shortly after joining Charlie went to medic school to become a nurse. After seven months he was transferred to the Mobile Training Unit to train new Hmong recruits in Thailand in marksmanship strategy, paratrooper and survival skills. Charlie married his wife, Pla Moua in 1970, while in the Army and began his family.
In 1973 Charlie was moved to military region 2 under the command of General Vang Pao. Charlie was highly recognized by upper command; when his brother decided to retire he was promoted to Capitan and took over his brother's position. Many stories he would tell of heroism such as retrieving injured comrades from the jungle after they were left behind during contacts with communist soldiers. Sometimes even going alone to retrieve injured soldiers when everyone has given up hope of any survival. Some of those recovered injured soldiers still live to this day because of his heroic actions.
Charlie excelled as an elite soldier and trainer. His superiors selected him as the few elite soldiers out of 100 soldiers to be a personal body guard to the King of Laos, Sisavang Vatthana, in early 1975. After Laos fell to communism in May 13, 1975 many commanders began to leave their home country Laos. Charlie was order to protect his commander's family and escort them to safety. With the threat of death by overwhelming forces in the foothills he left to Thailand. He missed his family and siblings then returned to Laos to be with them.
From 1975 to 1977, Charlie and his family lived in hiding from the communist regime, joining (Chao Fab). He would go hiding in the woods alone until it was safe to return to his family. As the living conditions and constant search and destroy got worse by communist soldiers, he and several relatives decided it was time to take their family and head towards Thailand, during the night they snuck out from their villages and into the jungle towards Thailand. After leading his family to safety in Thailand, he alone decided to return to Laos determined to get his two brothers and father to Thailand, knowing that if he did not his brother would certainly be killed for fighting against the communist regime. It would take over a year with each trek he would run into fleeing Hmong families along the way. He would lead numerous Hmong families to Thailand saving hundreds of lives in the process. Charlie made three trips in total, sneaking back in to Laos, and found his brother, father and other siblings who were still alive. He led them to the safety of Thailand.
With a family of four (3 sons and a daughter) Charlie applied and was granted asylum in the United States in 01/09/1980, residing in Santa Ana, California. Charlie then moved to Long Beach, California then moved to Fresno California to farm like many Hmong family arriving from Laos. Charlie never lost his commitment to his Hmong people; he volunteered tireless hours, to Hmong Council (now 18 Clan), Hmong International New Year, Lao Family, Lao Veterans of Fresno, Lao Veterans of Michigan, and many others. In 1995, General Vang Pao sent Charlie back to Laos to continue the fight for the freedom of Laos and its people. Charlie and his wife Pla, had 16 children in total, two passed away due to illness. In 1998, Charlie moved his family to Michigan residing in Pontiac, Michigan.
In 2004, Charlie had a stroke and was stricken by paralysis of his left body. However with his strong will the illness did not hinder him. In 2007, sadness bestowed on his family, his wife of 35 years, passed away due to sudden illness. After his wife's passing he still lived to the fullest, but luck was not on our side and our father Charlie (Our Hero), left us and this world on 07/17/2015. Charlie is survived by five sons Vang Yang, Kou Yang, Fue Yang, Lenin Yang, Alexander Yang and nine daughters Chou, Pang, Youa, Ka, Danant, Sandy, Ploua, Kao Nou, Lucy; and 32 grandchildren.
In 1973 Charlie was moved to military region 2 under the command of General Vang Pao. Charlie was highly recognized by upper command; when his brother decided to retire he was promoted to Capitan and took over his brother's position. Many stories he would tell of heroism such as retrieving injured comrades from the jungle after they were left behind during contacts with communist soldiers. Sometimes even going alone to retrieve injured soldiers when everyone has given up hope of any survival. Some of those recovered injured soldiers still live to this day because of his heroic actions.
Charlie excelled as an elite soldier and trainer. His superiors selected him as the few elite soldiers out of 100 soldiers to be a personal body guard to the King of Laos, Sisavang Vatthana, in early 1975. After Laos fell to communism in May 13, 1975 many commanders began to leave their home country Laos. Charlie was order to protect his commander's family and escort them to safety. With the threat of death by overwhelming forces in the foothills he left to Thailand. He missed his family and siblings then returned to Laos to be with them.
From 1975 to 1977, Charlie and his family lived in hiding from the communist regime, joining (Chao Fab). He would go hiding in the woods alone until it was safe to return to his family. As the living conditions and constant search and destroy got worse by communist soldiers, he and several relatives decided it was time to take their family and head towards Thailand, during the night they snuck out from their villages and into the jungle towards Thailand. After leading his family to safety in Thailand, he alone decided to return to Laos determined to get his two brothers and father to Thailand, knowing that if he did not his brother would certainly be killed for fighting against the communist regime. It would take over a year with each trek he would run into fleeing Hmong families along the way. He would lead numerous Hmong families to Thailand saving hundreds of lives in the process. Charlie made three trips in total, sneaking back in to Laos, and found his brother, father and other siblings who were still alive. He led them to the safety of Thailand.
With a family of four (3 sons and a daughter) Charlie applied and was granted asylum in the United States in 01/09/1980, residing in Santa Ana, California. Charlie then moved to Long Beach, California then moved to Fresno California to farm like many Hmong family arriving from Laos. Charlie never lost his commitment to his Hmong people; he volunteered tireless hours, to Hmong Council (now 18 Clan), Hmong International New Year, Lao Family, Lao Veterans of Fresno, Lao Veterans of Michigan, and many others. In 1995, General Vang Pao sent Charlie back to Laos to continue the fight for the freedom of Laos and its people. Charlie and his wife Pla, had 16 children in total, two passed away due to illness. In 1998, Charlie moved his family to Michigan residing in Pontiac, Michigan.
In 2004, Charlie had a stroke and was stricken by paralysis of his left body. However with his strong will the illness did not hinder him. In 2007, sadness bestowed on his family, his wife of 35 years, passed away due to sudden illness. After his wife's passing he still lived to the fullest, but luck was not on our side and our father Charlie (Our Hero), left us and this world on 07/17/2015. Charlie is survived by five sons Vang Yang, Kou Yang, Fue Yang, Lenin Yang, Alexander Yang and nine daughters Chou, Pang, Youa, Ka, Danant, Sandy, Ploua, Kao Nou, Lucy; and 32 grandchildren.
Our father Charlie (Chang Ger) Yang, was born in 08/18/1953, in Laos, to Bla Xue Yang and Sue Vang. His parents had a total of 5 sons and 4 daughters. After Charlie's eldest brother went to join General Vang Pao's SGU to fight in the Secret War in Laos 1962. He went to school in Thailand. He soon followed in his brother's footsteps and joined in 1968. Shortly after joining Charlie went to medic school to become a nurse. After seven months he was transferred to the Mobile Training Unit to train new Hmong recruits in Thailand in marksmanship strategy, paratrooper and survival skills. Charlie married his wife, Pla Moua in 1970, while in the Army and began his family.
In 1973 Charlie was moved to military region 2 under the command of General Vang Pao. Charlie was highly recognized by upper command; when his brother decided to retire he was promoted to Capitan and took over his brother's position. Many stories he would tell of heroism such as retrieving injured comrades from the jungle after they were left behind during contacts with communist soldiers. Sometimes even going alone to retrieve injured soldiers when everyone has given up hope of any survival. Some of those recovered injured soldiers still live to this day because of his heroic actions.
Charlie excelled as an elite soldier and trainer. His superiors selected him as the few elite soldiers out of 100 soldiers to be a personal body guard to the King of Laos, Sisavang Vatthana, in early 1975. After Laos fell to communism in May 13, 1975 many commanders began to leave their home country Laos. Charlie was order to protect his commander's family and escort them to safety. With the threat of death by overwhelming forces in the foothills he left to Thailand. He missed his family and siblings then returned to Laos to be with them.
From 1975 to 1977, Charlie and his family lived in hiding from the communist regime, joining (Chao Fab). He would go hiding in the woods alone until it was safe to return to his family. As the living conditions and constant search and destroy got worse by communist soldiers, he and several relatives decided it was time to take their family and head towards Thailand, during the night they snuck out from their villages and into the jungle towards Thailand. After leading his family to safety in Thailand, he alone decided to return to Laos determined to get his two brothers and father to Thailand, knowing that if he did not his brother would certainly be killed for fighting against the communist regime. It would take over a year with each trek he would run into fleeing Hmong families along the way. He would lead numerous Hmong families to Thailand saving hundreds of lives in the process. Charlie made three trips in total, sneaking back in to Laos, and found his brother, father and other siblings who were still alive. He led them to the safety of Thailand.
With a family of four (3 sons and a daughter) Charlie applied and was granted asylum in the United States in 01/09/1980, residing in Santa Ana, California. Charlie then moved to Long Beach, California then moved to Fresno California to farm like many Hmong family arriving from Laos. Charlie never lost his commitment to his Hmong people; he volunteered tireless hours, to Hmong Council (now 18 Clan), Hmong International New Year, Lao Family, Lao Veterans of Fresno, Lao Veterans of Michigan, and many others. In 1995, General Vang Pao sent Charlie back to Laos to continue the fight for the freedom of Laos and its people. Charlie and his wife Pla, had 16 children in total, two passed away due to illness. In 1998, Charlie moved his family to Michigan residing in Pontiac, Michigan.
In 2004, Charlie had a stroke and was stricken by paralysis of his left body. However with his strong will the illness did not hinder him. In 2007, sadness bestowed on his family, his wife of 35 years, passed away due to sudden illness. After his wife's passing he still lived to the fullest, but luck was not on our side and our father Charlie (Our Hero), left us and this world on 07/17/2015. Charlie is survived by five sons Vang Yang, Kou Yang, Fue Yang, Lenin Yang, Alexander Yang and nine daughters Chou, Pang, Youa, Ka, Danant, Sandy, Ploua, Kao Nou, Lucy; and 32 grandchildren.
In 1973 Charlie was moved to military region 2 under the command of General Vang Pao. Charlie was highly recognized by upper command; when his brother decided to retire he was promoted to Capitan and took over his brother's position. Many stories he would tell of heroism such as retrieving injured comrades from the jungle after they were left behind during contacts with communist soldiers. Sometimes even going alone to retrieve injured soldiers when everyone has given up hope of any survival. Some of those recovered injured soldiers still live to this day because of his heroic actions.
Charlie excelled as an elite soldier and trainer. His superiors selected him as the few elite soldiers out of 100 soldiers to be a personal body guard to the King of Laos, Sisavang Vatthana, in early 1975. After Laos fell to communism in May 13, 1975 many commanders began to leave their home country Laos. Charlie was order to protect his commander's family and escort them to safety. With the threat of death by overwhelming forces in the foothills he left to Thailand. He missed his family and siblings then returned to Laos to be with them.
From 1975 to 1977, Charlie and his family lived in hiding from the communist regime, joining (Chao Fab). He would go hiding in the woods alone until it was safe to return to his family. As the living conditions and constant search and destroy got worse by communist soldiers, he and several relatives decided it was time to take their family and head towards Thailand, during the night they snuck out from their villages and into the jungle towards Thailand. After leading his family to safety in Thailand, he alone decided to return to Laos determined to get his two brothers and father to Thailand, knowing that if he did not his brother would certainly be killed for fighting against the communist regime. It would take over a year with each trek he would run into fleeing Hmong families along the way. He would lead numerous Hmong families to Thailand saving hundreds of lives in the process. Charlie made three trips in total, sneaking back in to Laos, and found his brother, father and other siblings who were still alive. He led them to the safety of Thailand.
With a family of four (3 sons and a daughter) Charlie applied and was granted asylum in the United States in 01/09/1980, residing in Santa Ana, California. Charlie then moved to Long Beach, California then moved to Fresno California to farm like many Hmong family arriving from Laos. Charlie never lost his commitment to his Hmong people; he volunteered tireless hours, to Hmong Council (now 18 Clan), Hmong International New Year, Lao Family, Lao Veterans of Fresno, Lao Veterans of Michigan, and many others. In 1995, General Vang Pao sent Charlie back to Laos to continue the fight for the freedom of Laos and its people. Charlie and his wife Pla, had 16 children in total, two passed away due to illness. In 1998, Charlie moved his family to Michigan residing in Pontiac, Michigan.
In 2004, Charlie had a stroke and was stricken by paralysis of his left body. However with his strong will the illness did not hinder him. In 2007, sadness bestowed on his family, his wife of 35 years, passed away due to sudden illness. After his wife's passing he still lived to the fullest, but luck was not on our side and our father Charlie (Our Hero), left us and this world on 07/17/2015. Charlie is survived by five sons Vang Yang, Kou Yang, Fue Yang, Lenin Yang, Alexander Yang and nine daughters Chou, Pang, Youa, Ka, Danant, Sandy, Ploua, Kao Nou, Lucy; and 32 grandchildren.
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