Hello All
Here is a copy of the artical that Warren Anderson wrote about the mission. The only addition to this will be some quotes from Qixing's parents and some photos provided by Pat (Honeydog). It will be on the stands in Friday's issue of Hmong Today.
Thank you, Lisa Murphy (Flagwaver)
On a cold, grey morning with a light mist falling, U.S. Army Specialist Qixing Hwjhuam Lee was laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Those in attendance included his family, friends, Comrades-in-Arms and the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty. Attendees also included close to 150 members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard Riders.
The Minnesota Patriot Guard Riders is a group of men and women who are part of a national organization - the Patriot Guard Riders. They are motorcycle enthusiasts and riders from across America who share a desire to show honor and respect to America’s fallen heroes in the War on Terror, their families and their communities. While motorcycle riding and being a veteran is not a prerequisite, many of those in attendance at Spc. Lee’s funeral seemed to be Vietnam era Veterans.
The MN Patriot Guard Riders’ purpose - as with their national organization - is to show respect to the fallen service member and their family and to shield the family and friends from any protestor or group of protestors. A number of funerals in MN and nationally have been interrupted by protesters shouting obscenities at family members and friends of the dead service member.
Spc. Qixing Lee was killed in action on August 27, 2006 while serving in Iraq. He was killed alongside three other members of his unit, which was part of the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. Their mission was one of the most grueling and dangerous in Iraq, patrolling and convoy duty. Spc. Lee died of wounds received from an "improvised explosive device". These are homemade weapons of mass destruction full of explosives and metal which are set off by terrorists in hiding, waiting for an American patrol or convoy to pass by.
When the MN Patriot Guard Riders heard of Spc. Lee’s death they began the task of informing all their members of an impending "mission". Unfortunately, the weekend of Sept. 8 - Sept. 11 was to be a busy one for the MN Guard. Spc. Lee’s funeral would be the third of three that many of the members would attend. The Guard does not attend a funeral unless the family invites them to attend. Lee’s family did invite the MN Patriot Guard Riders to attend his September 11th funeral at Fort Snelling.
MN Guard members began arriving at the staging area by the Ikea store near the Mall of America at 8am September 11th. By 9am over 100 members in their leather chaps and leather jackets decorated with flags, many with patches indicating service as veterans of the Vietnam War, were ready to roll. The motorcycles were lined up in rows of twos, most with large American flags flying from the back of their bikes.
At 10am lone out riders were sent to each intersection along the route from Ikea to Fort Snelling. Their purpose was to prevent traffic from interrupting the long, impressive and continuous line of some nearly 150 motorcycles and six cars in the procession to Fort Snelling. That procession
began shortly after 10am. One could see the look of respect and wonderment on the faces of truck and car drivers passed by the motorcycle entourage. It was September 11th, 2006, the fifth anniversary of that terrible day America was attacked by cold blooded terrorists. It was the reason Spc. Lee was in Iraq. It was the reason he was killed at such a young age.
Upon arrival at Fort Snelling, the MN Patriot Guard Riders dismounted from their motorcycles and lined up along the route Spc. Lee’s family and friends would take to the grave site. The US Army Honor Guard and Rifle Squad was already there and going through their final practice for the service. The Patriot Guard members waited patiently in the light rain, each with American flags held high. It was very quiet, except for planes taking off from the airport, or the sound of a 21 gun Salute at other funerals being held that day, that morning.
At exactly 11am the hearse caring Spc. Qixing Lee’s body to its final resting place arrived. Family and friends drove up behind, parked and went to the pavilion where the funeral was held. They were greeted by Governor Pawlenty, who spoke to the parents and siblings of Spc. Lee.
It was a very emotional time for the MN Patriot Guard Riders. Many of the riders were there not only to honor Spc. Lee for his sacrifice and his family for their loss. Those riders who were Vietnam Vets were there to honor the people they considered their "Comrades in Arms", the Hmong veterans who had served and sacrificed for America during the Vietnam War, in the "secret war" in Laos. These men were saluting not only Spc. Lee but also his father and the other Hmong men who fought so hard against the communist North Vietnamese in Laos.
It was obvious that many of the Vietnam Vets wanted to personally thank their Hmong Veteran brothers for their sacrifices on behalf of the US. This can be seen in a blog thread on the MN Patriot Guard website:
Spc. Lee's father, Chedrua Yanlecheuyin, was one of the many Hmong Warriors who fought right along side our troops during the Vietnam War and continued fighting for that freedom in Laos afterward. Let's turn out in great numbers to show this family how we honor the sacrifice that Qixing made for all of us, and that the entire nation grieves the loss of their son with them.
It is one of many hundreds that honor the sacrifice Spc. Qixing Lee made. Many speak of thanking not only the family but the Hmong community as well.
Perhaps the most moving moments came at the end of the service. One of Spc. Lee’s sisters came over to the men and women of the MN Patriot Guard Riders and thanked many of them personally. Tears were in the eyes of both the sister and the Guard members. Thanks were expressed by both through those tears and a firm but warm handshake.
Finally, when the family members were headed back to their cars, Jeff Seeber, a disabled Vietnam Vet, a former Navy Corpsman, saluted Qixing’s brother currently serving in the Marines. Qixing’s brother crisply returned the salute. The scene was repeated between Seeber and Qixing’s father, Chedrua. Again, Seeber’s salute was crisply returned and he and Chedrua spoke momentarily. Jeff thanked Qixing’s father for his service in Laos. Jeff also gave his regrets for the loss of Chedrua’s son. Chedrua’s response spoke of freedom, duty and country. That he had lost one son, but had two other children also serving their country - America - yet. They parted shaking hands.
One could tell that for Jeff Seeber, this was an opportunity to not only honor a fallen hero and his family, it was an opportunity to do for someone today what was not done for his comrades who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. For Jeff it was part of the long healing process. Spc. Qixing Lee - in death - continued to serve his country by bringing together two old veterans that had fought on the same side for freedom, duty and country.
For his exceptional service to his country, and his ultimate sacrifice, Specialist Qixing Hwjhuam Lee will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, and the Bronze Star with V Device for his conspicuous actions in the line of duty.
With the mourners gone, the MN Patriot Guard Riders rode off home, praying for no more "missions" but ready to ride if called upon.
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