A St. Paul, Minnesota soldier is among those who were killed in the Fort Hood massacre. Army Spc. Kham Xiong was shot and killed before he ever had a chance to go to war. He was at Fort Hood, preparing for a deployment in Iraq around New Year's. Xiong's wife and three children had been with him in Texas for five months, as he got ready for his assignment. Family members say Xiong was in line for a physical when the shooting broke out. His wife sent him a text message, telling him to come home for lunch and go back for the physical later. But Xiong texted back, "No, I'll stay. It's almost my turn." Xiong has ten siblings, including a 17-year-old brother, who's a Marine in Afghanistan.
Chor Xiong and his father Xia Soua Siong fought bravely against the Vietnamese Communist Forces, with the support of the CIA, in Laos during the Vietnam War. As a result of these actions they were forced to flee their homeland after US military forces withdrew from Southeast Asia in 1975. Kham Xiong came to the US as a toddler but even at a young age, he realized the commitment and sacrifices that his father and grandfather had made for their families and their people. Growing up, Kham told his father and grandfather about his desire to follow in their footsteps and serve his country. As he finished high school, married his high school sweetheart, and became a proud father; his desire to serve his country continued to burn from within. After talking to his younger brother Nelson, who was already serving in the Marines, Kham decided the time was right for him to enlist. Kham saw the military as a way to give back to his country, to help his family have a better life and to continue the legacy and tradition that started with his beloved father and grandfather's commitment to freedom. Any short term suffering and separation from his family would be offset by the numerous opportunities that would open up as a result of his military service. Sadly, Kham Xiong will not be able to capitalize on any opportunities that the military has for him, he will not be able to help his family like he wished, and he will not be able to hear his friends and families tell him how proud they are of him. Kham was tragically killed doing the only thing he knew; helping others without regards to his own situation or safety. He embraced his responsibilities to his family, his people, and his country. Few people would do the same thing under the same circumstances; Kham showed the world through his actions what his beliefs and values are.
Chor Xiong and his father Xia Soua Siong fought bravely against the Vietnamese Communist Forces, with the support of the CIA, in Laos during the Vietnam War. As a result of these actions they were forced to flee their homeland after US military forces withdrew from Southeast Asia in 1975. Kham Xiong came to the US as a toddler but even at a young age, he realized the commitment and sacrifices that his father and grandfather had made for their families and their people. Growing up, Kham told his father and grandfather about his desire to follow in their footsteps and serve his country. As he finished high school, married his high school sweetheart, and became a proud father; his desire to serve his country continued to burn from within. After talking to his younger brother Nelson, who was already serving in the Marines, Kham decided the time was right for him to enlist. Kham saw the military as a way to give back to his country, to help his family have a better life and to continue the legacy and tradition that started with his beloved father and grandfather's commitment to freedom. Any short term suffering and separation from his family would be offset by the numerous opportunities that would open up as a result of his military service. Sadly, Kham Xiong will not be able to capitalize on any opportunities that the military has for him, he will not be able to help his family like he wished, and he will not be able to hear his friends and families tell him how proud they are of him. Kham was tragically killed doing the only thing he knew; helping others without regards to his own situation or safety. He embraced his responsibilities to his family, his people, and his country. Few people would do the same thing under the same circumstances; Kham showed the world through his actions what his beliefs and values are.
A St. Paul, Minnesota soldier is among those who were killed in the Fort Hood massacre. Army Spc. Kham Xiong was shot and killed before he ever had a chance to go to war. He was at Fort Hood, preparing for a deployment in Iraq around New Year's. Xiong's wife and three children had been with him in Texas for five months, as he got ready for his assignment. Family members say Xiong was in line for a physical when the shooting broke out. His wife sent him a text message, telling him to come home for lunch and go back for the physical later. But Xiong texted back, "No, I'll stay. It's almost my turn." Xiong has ten siblings, including a 17-year-old brother, who's a Marine in Afghanistan.
Chor Xiong and his father Xia Soua Siong fought bravely against the Vietnamese Communist Forces, with the support of the CIA, in Laos during the Vietnam War. As a result of these actions they were forced to flee their homeland after US military forces withdrew from Southeast Asia in 1975. Kham Xiong came to the US as a toddler but even at a young age, he realized the commitment and sacrifices that his father and grandfather had made for their families and their people. Growing up, Kham told his father and grandfather about his desire to follow in their footsteps and serve his country. As he finished high school, married his high school sweetheart, and became a proud father; his desire to serve his country continued to burn from within. After talking to his younger brother Nelson, who was already serving in the Marines, Kham decided the time was right for him to enlist. Kham saw the military as a way to give back to his country, to help his family have a better life and to continue the legacy and tradition that started with his beloved father and grandfather's commitment to freedom. Any short term suffering and separation from his family would be offset by the numerous opportunities that would open up as a result of his military service. Sadly, Kham Xiong will not be able to capitalize on any opportunities that the military has for him, he will not be able to help his family like he wished, and he will not be able to hear his friends and families tell him how proud they are of him. Kham was tragically killed doing the only thing he knew; helping others without regards to his own situation or safety. He embraced his responsibilities to his family, his people, and his country. Few people would do the same thing under the same circumstances; Kham showed the world through his actions what his beliefs and values are.
Chor Xiong and his father Xia Soua Siong fought bravely against the Vietnamese Communist Forces, with the support of the CIA, in Laos during the Vietnam War. As a result of these actions they were forced to flee their homeland after US military forces withdrew from Southeast Asia in 1975. Kham Xiong came to the US as a toddler but even at a young age, he realized the commitment and sacrifices that his father and grandfather had made for their families and their people. Growing up, Kham told his father and grandfather about his desire to follow in their footsteps and serve his country. As he finished high school, married his high school sweetheart, and became a proud father; his desire to serve his country continued to burn from within. After talking to his younger brother Nelson, who was already serving in the Marines, Kham decided the time was right for him to enlist. Kham saw the military as a way to give back to his country, to help his family have a better life and to continue the legacy and tradition that started with his beloved father and grandfather's commitment to freedom. Any short term suffering and separation from his family would be offset by the numerous opportunities that would open up as a result of his military service. Sadly, Kham Xiong will not be able to capitalize on any opportunities that the military has for him, he will not be able to help his family like he wished, and he will not be able to hear his friends and families tell him how proud they are of him. Kham was tragically killed doing the only thing he knew; helping others without regards to his own situation or safety. He embraced his responsibilities to his family, his people, and his country. Few people would do the same thing under the same circumstances; Kham showed the world through his actions what his beliefs and values are.
