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Nov 28, 2009 10:39 pm US/Central
Services Start For MN Soldier Killed At Fort Hood
MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Kham Xiong was one of the 13 people confirmed killed when Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fire at Fort Hood.
CBS
Funeral services began Saturday for a Minnesota soldier killed at Fort Hood earlier this month. Private First Class Kham Xiong of St. Paul was one of 13 people killed when Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Malik Hassan allegedly opened fire on Nov. 5.
A traditional three-day Hmong funeral began at Legacy Funeral Home in Maplewood Saturday morning.
As Kham Xiong's family and friends came to pay their last respects, many in the Hmong community reflected on his life and his desire to serve the country he called home.
"To serve, to protect our country is a great honor. No matter in what position," said Xiong's friend, Daily Hoang.
"You could see it in the parents' eyes, it's a grieving process. But at the same time in the room there is this sense of pride for the community," said Minn. Rep. Cy Thao (DFL) of St. Paul.
While Xiong was legally in the United States and legally serving his country, he was not yet a U.S. citizen. It was his family's desire he become one. And Saturday, at his visitation, his widow received a framed certificate making it official.
"He deserved it. Here was someone that was ready to serve, he was going to be deployed, doing nothing but there down at that base waiting to go overseas to fight for our country. So if you can think of a better case for citizenship, I don't know what it is," said Senator Amy Klobuchar (DFL).
Before he was killed, Xiong was preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. Before they came to the United States from Laos, members of his family had fought on the American side in the Vietnam War. His family now takes pride in knowing that in this war, he would have fought as an American.
"Everyone is proud of that fact and happy that he was able to be given that honor," said Thao.
Xiong was 23 years old and is survived by his wife and three children.
Funeral services will continue through Sunday and on Monday afternoon. Xiong will be buried with military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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