Boualong Phiangdae

Our beloved father was the 2nd child of Phiang (mother) and Dae (father). He had an older brother and a younger sister. His older brother and mother both passed away when he was training for the army in Thailand. His father passed away in 1996. His sister passed away in June of 2023. He is survived by 6 children and 10 grandchildren.

Childhood

Dad was born in Savannakhet, Laos on June 3, 1948. Savannakhet was full of rice fields and fruit orchards when he was growing up. His parents and grandparents farmed rice. In fact, the entire Savannakhet province farmed rice for a living. They raised water buffalos to help with the labor of farming rice. Early morning before the first light of dawn, they head out to the rice paddy fields and at dusk they headed back home, riding on the neck of their water buffalos. Along the way, they bathed by jumping into the Mekong River. Life was simple and serene. They also hunted, fished, and grew fruits and vegetables for food. His childhood was peaceful and happy.

War

Dad wanted to make a difference. He did not believe in communism, and if Laos was to turn communist, Laos would eventually lose her identity/country. Most of the village boys were fired up about joining the war and dad was, too. He heard that the U.S. was recruiting soldiers at the American Embassy in Vientiane, Laos. Dad was only 17 when he signed up at the American Embassy in 1965. He quickly moved up the ranks and was selected to further his military training in Thailand.

While in Thailand, he was selected and recruited by the C.I.A (Central Intelligence Agency) as part of the U.S. Special Forces to join the U.S. Secret Army-S.G.U (Special Guerrilla Unit) and served under the C.I.A and U.S. Special Forces on military region 3 MR 3 in Laos. Their missions: 1) Protect the U.S. electronic mountain radar/LS-85 sites that guided the air power to bomb the Ho Chi Minh Trail 2) Rescue downed American Pilots 3) Block the North Vietnamese Troops from using the Ho Chi Minh Trail to deliver military supplies to fight the American Troops in South Vietnam. Dad went on several missions and as he survived those missions, he ranked up and was sent to do more training and schooling in Thailand.

On May 17, 1975 dad was captured by Communist Laos along route 9, Ban Dong Xepone, Borderline South Vietnam.

From 1975-1987 he was a Prisoner of War for 13 years, 2 months, and 10 days. Six ofs seven of his children were born within these prison camps (we moved camps quite often). Communist Laos called it “re-education camp,” but really there was no education taught. It was an imprisonment that sought to kill by means of starvation, execution, or death by land mines surrounding the different camps.

On June 2, 1987, Communist Laos Officially signed our release papers for discharge from Prison Camp. Then, on May 27, 1988, we arrived in Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S.A.

Life in America

Initially, life in America was difficult with no money, no English, and no familiar food, however, we found ways to survive and overcome these challenges. The street was not lined with gold as mom believed it to be, but it was still great. It was way better than Laos for sure. At least, we were safe and had no need to look over our shoulder and wonder, “Who is out to kill us today?”

In 1989, dad decided to move the family to South Bend, WA, partly to be closer to relatives and to pursue a career in the forestry sector. In Washington, we picked berries, Salal, mushrooms, ferns, bare grass, tree bark, hemlock pine cones, and wildflowers for sale. We struggled to learn English, but eventually learned and assimilated into American culture.

At one point in time, we had a family business in which we bought and sold mushrooms and other natural products and shipped them to people and companies that wanted to buy them. In 1990, we bought our first house in Raymond, Washington, which was 10 miles North of South Bend, WA.

On top of foraging in the rich abundance of the natural resources of the Pacific Northwest, mom and dad also held a job at the local seafood companies and Foster Farm. Both mom and dad worked hard for us all their lives. We are forever grateful to them. Our father was very generous, and people liked to talk to him. He was active in the Laotian Community and at one point in time, he helped found a non-profit that supporting the local Laotian communities in Washington State. He loved people and enjoyed talking to them. We know he is with mom and that is where he longed to be. Rest in Peace Dad. We all love you very much and thank you for your sacrifices and teaching us the important life lessons of courage, faith, love, loyalty, and commitment. You will always be in our hearts.