Honoring Hmong‑Lao Veterans: Wisconsin Half-Staff Order on May 14, 2026

When the Wisconsin Half-Staff Order Began and Ended

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Where the Wisconsin Half-Staff Order Applied

Official Source and Evidence for This Half-Staff Order

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, Proclaims “Hmong-Lao Veterans Day” Across the State MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #293, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thurs., May 14, 2026, in honor of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day. Each year since assuming office, Gov. Evers has proclaimed May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin [ https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2026/05/12/file_attachments/3647769/051426_Proclamation_Hmong-Lao%20Veterans%20Day.pdf ]. “Through their service and sacrifice, our Hmong-Lao veteran community has earned every honor and respect we can give them by serving this nation during the Vietnam War and in many conflicts since, and for that, we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude,” said Gov. Evers. “Here in Wisconsin, we are committed to our promise to protect, defend, and support the veterans who’ve protected, defended, and supported us, and that includes our Hmong-Lao heroes.” During the Vietnam War, thousands of Hmong-Lao people courageously fought alongside the United States and, following the end of the war, faced harsh retribution from the Vietnamese and Lao governments for their service. Many Hmong-Lao soldiers and their families were ultimately forced to flee their homes, and many later resettled in communities throughout the United States, including in Wisconsin. Today, Wisconsin is home to the third-largest Hmong population in the United States. The last day of airlift evacuation of remaining Hmong-Lao soldiers and their families from the covert headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos, to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand took place on May 14, 1975. On May 14, 2021, Gov. Evers signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 31 [ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/2d9101a ], officially designating May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin. Act 31 also requires the governor to the governor to annually issue a proclamation for the observance of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day that orders the flags at the State Capitol Building to be flown at half-staff, requests that the day be used to recognize Hmong-Lao veterans’ accomplishments and to thank Hmong-Lao veterans for their service, and encourages schools to discuss Hmong military service in support of the armed forces of the United States. Gov. Evers has long made supporting the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Wisconsin’s Hmong and Asian American communities, including Hmong-Lao veterans, a priority of his administration. In 2024, Gov. Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 205 [ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/391e740 ], which ensures Hmong veterans can have veteran status on their driver’s license or ID by adding to the definition of “veteran” any person who was admitted to the United States under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act. Additionally, last month, Gov. Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 206 [ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/41209e9 ], which ensures qualifying Hmong and Laotian veterans can receive military funeral honors. In 2024, Gov. Evers celebrated Hmong Heritage Month by signing 2023 Wisconsin Act 266 [ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/3945fa0 ], requiring schools to include education on the contributions and history of Hmong Americans and Asian Americans in Wisconsin. Wisconsin law requires K-12 schools to teach Black American, Hisp

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