The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) proudly recognizes May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We celebrate this diverse community representing a long history in our state and bringing a cultural richness that includes over 40 different nationalities. Governor Tim Walz shares the 2023 proclamation here.

In Minnesota, there are approximately 2,400 Veterans who identify as Asian. The state is home to one of the largest communities of Hmong people in the United States. And, community members include men who fought in the Special Guerrilla Units that supported American troops in the Secret War in Laos as well as families greatly impacted by the Secret War. We honor the pivotal role Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotans have played in our past and continue to play in our communities statewide – in the military, in business and economics, in politics and in social arenas.

To learn more about Asian history in the U.S. Military, you can access the following stories:

• Asian Pacific Americans in Defense of our Nation
• Special Guerilla Units in the Secret War, Vietnam War
• Portrait of Asian/Pacific Islander Active-Duty Service Members
• U.S. Army | U.S. Coast Guard | U.S. Navy | National Guard
• Asian Americans in Aviation – San Diego Air and Space Museum

To connect with Veteran and community resources and arts/cultural organizations, visit these sites:

• U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs - Center for Minority Veterans (CMV)
  • CMV's quarterly newsletter – The Voice
• The MN Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
• The Coalition of Asian-American Leaders
• Local and national Asian Pacific Islander organizations
• Theater and Museums: Theater Mu, Hmong Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Arts - The Art of Asia, The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
• Minnesota Media Outlets: Hmong Times, Korean Quarterly, Asian American Press
• Hennepin County Library: Books by Asian American authors who have lived in Minnesota or set their stories in Minnesota (community-created list)
• MinneAsianStories Podcast, co-produced by CAAL, The Uptake and WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, offers rich, diverse stories from the Asian Minnesotan community.