About our
Founder
Meet our Veterans
Vietnam War Veteran
Manousack Jimmy Athakhanh is a decorated First Lieutenant in the United States military and a dedicated member of the Royal Lao Veterans with a Life Membership in Veterans of Foreign Wars at Post 2681 in Marietta, Georgia.
In 1967, he was recruited by the CIA and assigned to the U.S. Army Special Guerrilla Unit under the command of both the CIA and U.S. Special Forces. From 1969 to 1975, he served on the front lines of the Vietnam War, specializing in Special Combat Operations and serving as a Radio Operator with a Road Watch Team along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He provided critical support to Combat Operations in Military Regions 2, 3, and 4, and his POW survival skills proved invaluable to his unit. In 1975, he was honorably discharged.
After his military service, he worked with the Valentines Georgia State Guard and FEMA and was promoted to the rank of Captain. From 2009 to 2018, he served with the Royal Lao Airborne Second Response at South Carolina Homeland Security.
Athakhanh is also a dedicated community leader and serves Laotian American communities in multiple states, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Illinois. He provides community service in traffic control and security, funeral services, and visits VA hospitals and nursing homes to engage with veterans and residents. His outstanding service has been recognized by both Governor Kemp and Mike Ruby, who have honored him for his honorable service.
During the Vietnam War, Athakhanh was awarded a Certificate of Special Recognition in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and he has also been recognized by the CIA for his service in Laos.
Gulf WAr Veteran
Vilaysack "Victor" Athakhanh is a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, having served his country with distinction during his time in service.
In 1995, he answered the call of duty and was recruited into the Marine Corps. He completed two tours of duty to the Persian Gulf, serving with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Battalion 4th Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. His first deployment was with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), where he received extensive training and provided security in multiple locations, including Djibouti, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, and Guam. During this deployment, he participated in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Vigilant Sentinel, and Operation Desert Strike in Southwest Asia.
His second deployment was with the 11th (MEU) (SOC) where he continued to provide security and training in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Eritrea, and Jordan. During this tour, he participated in Operation Desert Thunder, Operation Safe Departure, Asmara, Eritrea, and Operations in support of Operation Southern Watch and U.N. Sanctions Enforcement Against Iraq. He excelled in his duties and received multiple recognitions for his performance.
After completing his second tour of duty, Athakhanh was stationed at the School of Infantry (SOI), where he completed his distinguished career in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. He is a life member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and is grateful for the opportunity to have served his country.
