Galen Beery Legacy Exhibit
Programs
Sam Thong was a pivotal locale during the Laotian Civil War, hosting a myriad of programs and initiatives that aimed to provide relief, support, and stability amidst the chaos of conflict.
Refugee Program
The refugee program, particularly under Pop Buell, was a significant operation in Sam Thong. Workers would meet new refugees, conduct interviews, prepare family lists, and perform a quick census upon their arrival. Basic necessities such as blankets, pots, cooking equipment, and rice were distributed, and rice drops were established to provide sustenance. However, the rice provided was often not nutritionally sufficient, meeting only about half the daily caloric requirement. The refugee program was not merely a logistical operation but also a humanitarian effort, ensuring the basic needs of the displaced populations were met (Hillmer, 2007a).
Rice Program
The rice program was a critical survival strategy, deeply integrated into the military, socio-economic, and humanitarian initiatives of the time. The rice, providing about 500 grams per person per day, was a lifeline for many, especially considering the influx of refugees and the sustenance of paramilitary dependents. The rice drop operations, involving specific aircraft and logistical planning, were crucial in ensuring that this essential commodity reached those in need, even in remote areas (Hillmer, 2007a).
Health Programs
Medical and health programs were also a cornerstone of the efforts in Sam Thong. The hospital, described as having a tin roof with thatched walls and wood floors, provided crucial medical services and surgeries. Local girls from various ethnic groups, trained by American, Thai, and Lao medics, worked in the hospital, providing medical relief as part of the broader refugee relief program. The medical and health programs in Sam Thong were multifaceted. A medical facility or hospital was established, albeit with relatively primitive conditions, where nurses were trained to provide basic medical care and attention (Hillmer, 2006b).
Teacher Education
A teacher training college was established where village men and women, who had some level of education, were trained to eventually return and teach in their own villages. This was crucial for maintaining and enhancing educational standards within the community, especially amidst the disruptions caused by the war (Hillmer, 2006b).
Administrative Efforts
Sam Thong served as an administrative and operational hub for various military and governmental entities. The Xieng Khouang government relocated there from Xieng Khouang Ville, and the Military Region 2, the general staff headquarters of Royal Lao Army regulars, was also based in Sam Thong. Most of the people there were refugees, making it somewhat an artificial settlement, similar to Long Cheng (Dommen & Kuhn, 1995).
References:
Dommen, A. J. & Kuhn, E. C. (1995). Interview with Ernest C. Kuhn. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/item/mfdipbib000646/
Hillmer, P. (2006b). Interview with Steve Schofield. Hmong Oral History Project. 21. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/hmong-studies_hohp/21
Hillmer, P. (2007a). Interview with Edwin T. "Win" McKeithen. Hmong Oral History Project. 30. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/hmong-studies_hohp/30