My Wife's Father Was a Communist General.. AND WAS SHOT! | Big Loop Tour E14

My Lao wife finally opens up about who her father was..
My Wife's Father Was a Communist General.. AND WAS SHOT! | Big Loop Tour E14
Be sure to watch the rest of this series here.. • Not Something You Want...
Neenee's father was a General for the Pathet Lao charged with keeping the Ho Chi Minh trail open in the Laos provinces of Khammouane , Salavan and Savannakhet during the Vietnam war and Secret War. We track down a few men who fought alongside him and helped save his life when he was badly shot up during intense fighting against the Royal Army in the district Bualapha.
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Subscribe to Neenee's channel: / @neeneelaolife7131
Mailing Address:
Kongmany Mahavong / Todd Hales
P.O. Box 3630
Vientiane Capital Lao P.D.R.
Post Code: 01000
Phone: [phone]
Contact me on Facebook: / nowinlao
Sabaidee and welcome to my channel....Now in Lao!!
I'm an Australian currently living in Laos with my wife, Neenee.
This is a channel primarily dedicated to Laos and the people who live here, our daily lives and our travels within this amazing country. Thank you for watching and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask, by either commenting or contacting me via Facebook.
Now in Lao .... Vlogging Laos !!
Cheers, Todd
Music:

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Sorry I don't understand. Was the general hunted down or was it in combat ? Did he had to hide his rank ? How young/old was your wife in that time ? May his soul may rest in peace forever 🙏🏻

[@NowinLao]

Hey Alfa.. It was in combat skirmishes on 21st Dec 1960, Neenee was born 1970. After being shot with the help of this gentleman in the video and others he was carried back across the river to the Pathet Lao base closer to Bualapha. It was for his leadership and bravery he was promoted and charged with keeping the trail open.. " The Ho Chi Minh Trail did not comprise of just one trail. It consisted of over 12,000 miles of trails. Between 1959 and 1975, over two million soldiers from the Northern Communist government traversed it. "

[@jordiking2481]

Thank you Nee Nee... for sharing your Dad's story....❤❤...

[@donaldthomas7753]

I got a little emotional when I heard the stories of the war and especially at the end with Nene's fathers' memorial. You mentioned the children and how at one time Mina was once like them. Thank you, Todd, for the wonderful history, the great black and white photos and helping people. Big Loop Tour E14 done, see you all on Big Loop Tour E15.

[@abletrade106]

😢 50 years later . the people have little & thankful for used clothes 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ewengillies9826]

The stories of those past wars compared to what we're seeing today .. my gosh we've learnt nothing. A most interesting vlog thanks Todd and Neenee. Much respect to those villagers. Bushyboy Oz.

[@NowinLao]

Cheers mate, appreciate you watching!

[@graemeaylward8313]

Todd and NeeNee, what an emotional and fascinating insight into more of the Laos war and the part that NeeNee's father played in it. How amazing is that to meet with men who fought alongside her father to shape the country into what it is today. Very different and desperate times then, and yet this area still has so much poverty. I am so happy for NeeNee that she can add more to her family history. The Young girl from the village, who guided you was certainly a big help in finding the poor and the sick and clearly a big hit with Mina. Interesting about the dwarf cattle, clearly some genetic reason for it. Thank you once more for all that the three of you do and for your production of these vlogs to share with us. I really do appreciate it. God bless you all, always 😀❤🙏

[@pakc6949]

Thank Todd and Nee Nee. This was an emotional video. I am a Lao American and a product of that war. All that you do through your videos helps many people like understand and be more in touch with our birth country. ❤️🙏

[@Shrimp467]

Todd, I’m a fan of your channel and thanks for sharing your wife’s dad story_ I was a 10 years old Hmong kid back in the 70’s -- the Royal Lao government, supported by the United States, with CIA working with the Hmong who fought Pathet Lao insurgents, supported by the Communists in neighboring North Vietnam with their leader Prince Souphanouvong The Hmong was caught in between the Lao Royal family’s conflict in the civil war under The CIA who hired General Vang Pao to lead the Hmong. Bloody war and many folks die on both sides

[@NowinLao]

@@Shrimp467 Something I never learned until our trip to Vieng Xai caves in Huapahn a few years back.. the Hmong were divided, many fought for the Pathet Lao also.

[@allanmcwilliam3377]

Wow such a powerful blog, I struggle to comprehend being bombed every 8 minutes. Respectfully done Todd you done Neenee proud. Keep up the astounding work. From a freezing 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Vinnie101a]

Thanks Todd, Neenee and Mina for this very emotional episode. The people are amazing.

[@AnneMareeDonoghue]

Nee nee thanks for sharing. You are a wonderful caring person. Thanks to you, Todd and Mina for helping these poor people.

[@NowinLao]

@@AnneMareeDonoghue A HUGE thank you to you also Anne-Maree for the endless supply of quality children's clothing. You help so much 💚

[@Yvonmoua]

Your wife is a smarter lady, she chose the good life with you Todd.

[@jacquelinesullivan5873]

Thanks Neenee and Todd for sharing the story of your dad. Very emotional time for you. Hugs and more hugs ❤❤to Neenee.

[@mikestraveldiary]

Thank you, todd, for bringing us along on this tour & bringing us some history of Lao. It may not everyone's cup of tea but we appreciate what you do.

[@2506Pete]

Fascinating hearing the history of Neenee's father. Some great old photos there also. And doing great work as always Todd, giving clothes to the villagers

[@daddybob6096]

Sincere condolences to NeeNee.❤ Bob and Lina.

[@mike.29]

What a great video,I always like learning history from the people who were there

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

AWESOME EPISODE !!!

[@AutumninAsia]

Very informative. Thank both of you !!!

[@keithhowell4138]

Thanks for sharing your story Nee Nee,,another great video Tod.

[@montukey161]

In 1970, I was still in High School and joining antiwar marches in Washington DC. Thanks for sharing.

[@nigelinman8890]

Great star egg got very emotional when I was watching it.Keep up the great work with your videos.And the fantastic scenery would love to travel all these routes that you would do as I said.I think I need a fall wheel drive.I came to venteen, but didn't like it there

[@teoschatz8430]

🤗🙏! Thank you Neenee, and Todd for sharing your personal, and emotional story with us. Take care ❤

[@banfielddavid]

Fascinating story and brilliantly documented. Thank you. Great filming, great music and great work. Its admirable, the work which you and Neenee are doing. I assume you are out of town. I'm in Vientiane now and have sent a Messenger message.

[@lesleyculley9682]

Big hugs for Neenee ❤❤

[@brucesieverts1236]

Thank you for sharing your story née nee , like many other people it's the first hand experience that gives it so much emotion . The memories will live on forever.

[@nevillelomas6368]

Hi Todd, great for NeeNee to get more information about her father. That was great to see . Take care Nev

[@MichaelHarbone]

Amazing stories, appreciate you going to this area to hear more about this. And that fella is 80. He looks good for the age. Good food and strong!

[@lesleyculley9682]

Neenee, place right hand onto left shoulder .....place left hand onto right shoulder......that's me giving you a big hug ❤

[@kateg1137]

Really interesting video. Would like to know more

[@paulwooster3590]

Amazing thank you so much for sharing. Very emotional. Stunning photos as per the norm. Onya!!

[@NowinLao]

Onya Sonya! 😆👍 Cheers

[@chuckhansen5599]

My wife came from Lao and her dad was with the Lao Royal Government. Her and her family have been in the U.S. since 1978…She says that she feels absolutely no hard feelings towards any individuals back in Lao or abroad, especially someone as good as your wife! Todd you guys are great and have a good little following here in the USA and that are all from Lao. Hope to see you next year. Chuck and Oy!

[@NowinLao]

Thank you Chuck & oy! 👋

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

The war was such a tragedy for the people of Lao. And for Neenee to lose her dad for a war that made absolutely no sense. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Neenee🙏🙏 Jim and Harriet

[@NowinLao]

Hi Jim.. His injuries never killed him.. he survived by the help of this gentleman and a few others dragging him back across the river. He lived to become the Minister of Forestry and Agriculture, passing away in 2002. Thank you 🙏

[@julianshalders6047]

Thank you guy's for sharing nee nees story, would have been absolute terrifying. Your video takes us back to the horrors of war. Music and the black and white images very moving.

[@NowinLao]

@@julianshalders6047 Thanks 🙏

[@tommynickxaisongkham]

I salute u Todd thanks

[@liamluangrath6280]

Very interesting in learning about different stories from the past and from the elderly. Thanks

[@mtnmandeluxe5429]

WOW !!! just WOW !!! Excellent video brother Todd,,you've shared most of this story before,,but this was more detailed. Thank you. I dont know how Neenee kept it together so well. I'd have been bawling my eyes out. Rediscovering family history is a tearjerker for me. What a blessing for Neenee to meet those old men. An ultimate trip,,,if she is strong enough to handle it,,would be to take Grandma up there to talk to those guys. To see the area where the General was wounded is amazing. Mina's friend was a sweet,kind woman. Cool to see the rapport build between those 2 so quickly. I've never seen a bull like that,,bigger than miniature cows,,of which there is a genetic breed. We had our 1st snow of the year last night,,and my puppy,,that's up to 85 lbs now got to experience it for the 1st time,,,flying all over ,,rolling around,,eating snow until he puked😂😅. Was fun to watch.thank you and Neenee and Mina for making this video. Nice to see my niece becoming more interactive with the kids and other adults at a giveaway stop. Just a bit of growing up I guess ❤❤❤❤❤ I dont know if I mentioned it,,but Dad had foot surgery 2 weeks ago. He came thru with flying colors for an 89 year old. Already feels more like walking. He loves history as much as I do ( wonder where I got that 😂😅 ) so I'll make sure he watches this video. You guys take care of yourselves. Ttyl,,,Marlon

[@NowinLao]

@@mtnmandeluxe5429 Thank you Marlon. Great to hear your dad's doing great. Yes, it would be nice but unfortunately Neenee's mother is too frail now and these roads, way too long and extreme for her health. Next stop is Neenee's mother and father's home villages. Take care brother 💚

[@JoanDooley-w3j]

Thank you so much, Todd and Neenee, for sharing this story of Neenee'a Dad. Very emotional. Hugs and love to Neenee the Brave ❤❤❤

[@rryder994]

Good to find out information about your family.. Na is a pretty young girl, makes me wish I was 50 years younger..hahaha

[@TheSuwatana]

This is amazing.

[@duncanstirling6643]

I always see you with care packages, I wish you health and happiness.

[@NowinLao]

@@duncanstirling6643 Thank you Duncan 🙏

[@davesbikelife]

Great stuff buddy! I think I remember you mentioned it before in a video about the war story. Very interesting. Great stuff buddy 👏🏽🙏🏽🤘🏽🇬🇧

[@stevemurnane1892]

My grand parents didn't have a TV either. Kero lights and candles. Dad was one of seventeen! Let's hope that war does not find that region ever again. Such nice people.

[@tomhorn6156]

Thanks Tod.

[@shazzaz]

Hi Todd , only saw this video yesterday and become every emotional watching it. Im quite an old man now but remember the US trying bomb Laos into the stone age ,but it never broke the Lao spirit. Was in lao 6 years ago but only for a few days. Keep up the great work you 3 and keep the videos coming. From a Cape Town follower. ❤

[@NowinLao]

@@shazzaz Thanks Zain 🙏

[@georgecowart5348]

best yet. Neenee you are a beautiful woman thankyou for sharing.

[@rdc5182]

Thank you for your generosity. Respectfully

[@Get-A-Life]

Great vid Todd Makes me sad to be an Aussie associated with our American allies. I was in the Navy for 23yrs and I'm embarrassed how quickly the Aussie Defence Force jumps on the US bandwagon to help fight wars which are none of fkn business! The knee-jerk reaction of the US in the late 60s to stop a non existent communist threat is deplorable. Great job with the ongoing donations mate, fkn legend! Cheers Simon

[@jimwells8001]

you are almost as stupid as todd comrad.

[@LonglingEriksen]

You are good people ♥ Made me happy and sad at the same time.

[@markfoley2220]

Powerful story.

[@micklong8867]

Thanks Todd and nene for a good video buddy and nena 😊cheers 🍻 3:41

[@SuperBetta5117]

I came to America because of the war. My dad didn't return to Laos after communist took over. He's in the royal Lao army. The war displaced lots of Lao people. Nee nee war is war you have no control of anything you should be afraid of the backlash. It happens nothing we can do life goes on. Love you guys be safe out there.

[@BounlevaSenesomboun-hu2tj]

Thanks for the history yes some were shot some was put in jail hard labor

[@bobwelo]

Good video today.

[@richardjackson6922]

Powerful story! It is always good to tell them on both sides so that we can learn what life was like on both sides. Perhaps better decisions can be made learning from people that had to do their duty at the time past and present?

[@scotbownes5627]

Love it 🙏🙂

[@jakesaen7263]

Thank you euy Nee Nee for sharing her father story i remember the war sad lots ppls die n Mr. Tod Thank you for great video n god bless you guys for giving clothes to all the all the childrens.🙏🙏🙏

[@geraldmoore9275]

Awesome vlog great blk&wht's. Great history listen. Stay safe Todd Neenee and Mina.

[@davidh1927]

Wow! So very interesting.....You know Neenee has a way about her, the way she presents herself , that suggests she is not your average Laotian. Generals daughter, cool.

[@derekpritchard4586]

Searching on the net it seems there are dwarf cows in India also ,Thank you for giving clothes to the children .Neenee's voice is full of emotion hopefully making the video gave her a some comfort .

[@kell7195]

Wow its good shes got the history written down, so much is lost when the old people die, your spot on all we ever hear about is the bombing missions.

[@MattMc-r6t]

Wow did you get a new camera looks great . Not sure you would want to go too political living there , Now in lao just up your audio a touch .

[@NowinLao]

Lol.. no. Same old GoPro with broken buttons 😆

[@VernonGardner-s6n]

Sorry on a different subject , what currency , kip or baht can you transfer to a Laos Bank. I wish to transfer money to a friend who works in Bangkok but unable to get Thai Bank account ( preferably Thai Baht as it is a more stable currency )

[@NowinLao]

Thai baht.. pretty sure you can't transfer kip from outside the country

[@sapawarrior9247]

I had family in Loas was in the army at that time

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

... on which side ?

[@kevinburke8349]

Wow I never guessed nee nee father

[@krisbrand354]

Most of them old enough fought. More like guerilla armies. Alot of Laos guys in Adelaide I know all fought as children.

[@tyronelowe7090]

What are you trying to say? Fought as children? The women and children were massacred by western armies? It was raining bombs in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

[@rabbittwhite]

i worked on this old man safe his name was hanson special forces operation detachment A-323 i have a picture of a picture where he was with john wayne the movie star. says Camp Trail Bl. Republic of Vietnam June 1966. he is SFC Hanson also with him is SFC counts, ILT chirico, SFC kaufman, SSG Etler. and 4 others. anyway the point is he was in Laos behind enemy lines. carrying backpack sized nuclear bombs. said it took 2 people to set them off. Also said one of the first men he ever killed was a high ranked man with a shotgun. i think the backpack bombs were for a landing strip. he said that people dont believe in the backpack nuclear bombs but he knows they exist cause he carried the damn thing forever thru the jungle.

[@ThePonderosa72]

Sending ❤

[@chiccenhawkc]

💯🔥💙👍

[@BadMedizin]

❤👍👍👍🙏

[@adriancoates3455]

😥

[@RPalma2973]

Nene is simple woman but every body of the place where she grow up know about here family and local people are respected her and here father nene someday is enter in politics she have chance to be

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

AMOR VINCIT OMNIA 🎀❤🎀

[@meksavanhmanivong2493]

❤

[@wayneleader2364]

❤👍👍🙏🙏🙏🇱🇦

[@lmapicas3279]

I now know where they get short ribs from but damn that cow looked bloody odd

[@NowinLao]

Pretty sure it was an extra in M.I.B

[@Wapiman]

Everybody look at what was going down.

[@stevemurnane1892]

There's something happening over there........ 🎼 🎶🎶🎶🎵

[@roysmythe3760]

❤❤❤

[@johnweeks-y2i]

🙏

[@agentmmarts3059]

Todd's donations is technical mini Reparations for the misery his brothers of the West joint cause this innocent Nation. Africa too went through this troma. The same people who cause misery and hardship come back to teach us about Human rights and democracy. What a fallacy.

[@fizkallnyeilsem]

You make it sounds as if the Vietnamese or Laotians havent done anything bad at that time, your comment is disingenuous Ppl keep blamin the west but never count the sins done by left1st govts of Asia. Media even that time didnt cover how the comie operations worked, only smearing the side thats easy to smear. Lazy journalism

[@craiglatham]

How dare you mistake someone's kindness then turn it into something disgusting like slavery. If you want reparations go look at the black men who sold your ancestors. You have turned something beautiful into something disgusting. Keep your bigoted views to yourself

[@craiglatham]

Scum

[@scotbownes5627]

We can buy mini cows her in Canada - they are very expensive 😁

[@maakamakana7007]

Cant comment to much as I was on the other side to NeeNee's father...Not much is ever said because it was Lao against Lao. Did it make the country better? still looks like 1960

[@NowinLao]

@@maakamakana7007 Maybe that's because no other country has been bombed like this. People are still being killed today just from trying to make a living plowing their field.

[@z3nn0s33]

I’m not mad at her father to join the communist Lao patiet, either join or die they say, but really evil things happened

[@jamespunch8049]

Todd, I have always found that [so called] black and white gives a lot of character to a photograph.

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

7:29 ... inside the red triangle ... Todd , your future red t-shirt should be in which size, please ? L or XL ?

[@NowinLao]

If we're talking western sizes, 'L' is plenty. Much appreciated mate 🙏

[@kell7195]

Yeah if that bloke could breed those dwarf cattle it could be huge! Dollar wise I mean $$ 😅

[@geraldtabu-or2jr]

A lesson from Vietnam is don't mix politics and war if America wanted to win they would have won.

[@NowinLao]

But they didn't..

[@thojxeevkhuam5043]

That's the case. Are you safe?

[@NowinLao]

Never felt safer living here 💚

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Todd Halloween is over you scaring the crap out of the little boys. I was in Vietnam 1968-1969. Not a pleasant place to be then. I was part of a medical team. We treated everyone.

[@NowinLao]

Nicely put.. Thank you Bob for the part you played 🙏

[@jimwells8001]

had enough of you comrad. 👎

[@NowinLao]

Thank you for being so understanding. You could learn a lot from the people of Laos.

[@jimwells8001]

@@NowinLao like what how to live in poverty?

[@leebickham3996]

@@jimwells8001 i can think of one thing they could teach you

[@williammckeon6521]

@@jimwells8001 They fought for free against the Yanks that tried to bomb their country out of existence, like the Vietnamese they succeeded. If you can't appreciate the bravery of these people, you'll never understand what honour is.

[@hanslund2280]

Dogpiss, doesn't harm a solid oaktree... Keep those Videos coming.

[@jovmil9175]

i been more than dozen of times to Laos in past 8 years, roughly twice a year, and i just crossed to Nong Khai , and it's nothing about Laos. its about you, and thankfully to your wannabe thrilling title I UNSUSCRIBED .... in General boring A/F

[@NowinLao]

..and yet, this is your one and only other comment on this channel "..BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO BEERLAO.. " That says more about you rather than my channel and explains why you don't understand titles. 👋

[@MattMc-r6t]

@@NowinLao Actually the whole country is sponsored by BEERLAO