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News continues to trickle out about the shooting at Ft. Hood, including information and profiles on the victims. Here's a report from KSTP in Minnesota on former local resident, Kham Xiong. The report is entitled, "Family mourns St. Paul soldier killed at Ft. Hood":
A young St. Paul man who loved fishing in the St. Croix River with his brother was one of the 13 people shot and killed Thursday in the attacks at Fort Hood.
Specialist Kham Xiong, 23, had been at Fort Hood for five months preparing for a New-Year's deployment, according to his family.
His relatives said he was in line waiting for a physical.
His wife Shoua texted him a message saying, "Come home for lunch and go back later."
But he wrote back, "No, I'll stay. It's almost my turn."
Moments later he was shot.
Xiong's father Chor Xiong is upset none of the soldiers were armed. Only police are allowed to carry weapons on base.
Chor Xiong said, "The sad part is he had been taught and trained to protect and fight, yet it's a tragedy he didn't have the chance to protect himself at the base."
And here's an excerpt from the A.P. report.
Pfc. Xiong’s father, Chor Xiong, is a native of Laos who fought the Viet Cong alongside the CIA in 1972; Chor’s father, Kham’s grandfather, also fought with the CIA; and Kham’s brother, Nelson, is a Marine serving in Afghanistan.
“I very mad,” Pfc. Xiong’s father said Friday. Through sniffles and tears, he said his son died for “no reason” and he has a hard time believing Kham is gone.
Kham Xiong was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, and his sister Mee Xiong said the family would be able to understand if he would have died in battle.
“He didn’t get to go overseas and do what he’s supposed to do, and he’s dead .. killed by our own people,” Mee Xiong said.
Pfc. Xiong was one of 11 siblings and came to the U.S. when he was just a toddler. He grew up in California, then moved to Minnesota with the family about 10 years ago, Chor Xiong said.
He was married and had three children ages 4, 2 and 10 months. He and his wife had moved to Texas in July, Chor Xiong said.
Pfc. Xiong attended Community of Peace Academy, graduating in 2004, said high school principal Tim McGowan.
“His greatest attribute was his ability to make people smile and make people laugh. Looking back, that’s the fondest memory I have — is that smile of his and that smile that he brought to my face,” Mr. McGowan said.
For his father, the death of the little boy who followed his dad everywhere was hard to take. “I don’t think he’s dead,” Chor Xiong said, then whispered, “I don’t think he’s dead.
Kham is survived by his wife, three children and ten siblings. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and to those of the other victims.
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My sympathy goes out to his family, I went to basic training with him! He was a good friend there and will be missed.
where in california is he from? does anyone know? I am from cali too.
He's from St. Paul, Minnesota.
In one of the articles it said that his family moved from california. Watching service now on cnn. have nice day.
he's from Lompoc, CA grew up with his family
Hello there too all concered fellow friends and family. Kham was orginally from Lompoc CA, but moved to ST. Paul MN. its just so sad huh...the good dies young. RIP Kham. peb hlub koj heev..
Xiong was my roommate when I first got to Fort Hood, he and I were together through the plane ride until about a week later, when we got to Fort Hood reception wouldn't let him stay in the barracks so me and we had an extra bed in our room so we let him stay there, the day after getting to reception a friend of his drove us around post and showed us all of Fort Hood, and then we came back and watched T.V. for a little while, he was a really good friend, and it hurts that I wasn't able to meet his family yet
It’s such a tragic event and I feel for his family’s lost. This soldier was serving his country and simply trying to provide for his family. What really bothers me is that he didn't even get a chance to return fire to defend himself against the nut job that did this. My most sincere condolences goes out to his wife and kids. If anyone has any information on the services for Specialist Xiong, please do advise, I would like to pay my respects if I can.
Best Regards,
A Fellow Soldier
Kham's will have a full miltary funeral service. His funeral will be held from November 28 to November 30th at Legacy Maplewood Funeral Home in Maplewood, MN. A formal program is scheduled on November 28th at 12:00pm if anyone is free you are welcomed to join us as we honor a true Hmong American Hero.
Dear American
Pfc. Kham Xiong has show to your eyes that we "The Hmong" sacrafied our blood for this nation. We are your friend not your enemy. Stop prejudice against the Hmong and our people who save thousands of your life in Vietnam War.
May God bless Khiam and his loved ones. I hope they find peace knowing that Khiam was serving our country and is a hero to all of us. This is a tragedy for not only Khiam's family, but also for the Hmong community and entire nation. I suggest anyone who would like to help Khiam's widow and 3 young children contact Legacy Funeral Home in Maplewood, MN and send memorials in lieu of flowers. If anyone knows of a contact for the Xiong family, please post. My most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the family and all affected.
I hope we can learn from this tragedy and work to make this world a little more peaceful, one person at time.
This is a terrible tragedy that has claimed young lives. My heart and prayers goes out to his family. Words can't even begin to describe my thoughts on this. In the end, we have lost some of our own...and that is what hurts the most. But don't forget why these men and women were waiting in line that day, it was to serve and protect their country, in hopes that their service will contribute to the greater good of world. Don't remember them for that day, remember them for who they were for what they've accomplished. They too are heroes.
He was someone who you got easily a long with. If anyone would like to contribute to his family or for his funeral you may do so by writing a check to Community of Peace Academy in Saint Paul (in the memo; to Kham Xiong's Fmaily). This is the school he graduated from.
Dear Lord, keep me by the arm you bear,
and direct a path through harms way.
Help me know that you’re always there
Guiding me by night and by day.
And Lord, at moments when I’m feeling lonely
And tempted with discouragement at my post,
Help me lean mightily on you only
Because it is you I depend on the most.
When I long to see my family
Or start thinking of times with a friend,
Ill know that you’re always with them
Even after absence is at an end
Shield me as I answer duty’s call,
For I have a job from which I can’t depart.
Protect me from my enemy, who’d have me fall
For it is you who guards my life and heart.
Amen
my heart goes out to his family Rest In Peace,
my brother in arms,
If anyone Here knows how to contact the wife, please contact me. Homes for Heroes along with ABC's Extreme makeover are looking for a heroes family in need. I cannot think of a more compelling story. I can be reached at helen@homesforheroes.com.
hi helen, this is his wife, Shoua Her. this is my e-mail: shouakham.04@hotmail.com. you may contact me with any questions.
I would like to take this time to thank all of you who has given my family and i sympathy. It has helped us and comferted us in many ways. I would also like to thank all of you who have donated to the donation fund. May God bless you.
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