In their efforts to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, the United States CIA contacted the Hmong, one of the minority hill tribes of Laos most noted for their skill in guerrilla warfare. The Hmong (which mean "Free Man") were promised refuge in the United States if the efforts to stop communism were unsuccessful. An official contract declaring this promise was signed between the two partners.

Approximately 300,000 Hmong individuals lost their lives during rescue efforts to save American pilots shot down by the enemy and during other fierce conflicts against the communist forces. Known as the "Secret Army" most people in the U.S. had little knowledge of the Hmong until after the Vietnam war.

When the Untied States pulled out of Southeast Asian unsuccessful in stopping communism in May of 1975 the Hmong were targeted for annihilation by the communist forces. High ranking Hmong officials were immediately airlifted out of Laos but the majority of the population were left to the flee for their lives on foot. Their only hope being to cross the border into the neutral country of Thailand. Thousands died during the escape process and hundreds of families were torn apart. Those who were able to make it to the safety in Thailand sometimes lived for years in the refugee camps before being resettled in third countries.

During this time some of the Hmong used their artistic skills in the creation of exquisite needle work pieces know in the Hmong language as Pajntaub (Pa dow) which means flower or story cloth. The design of these pieces vary but one of the most famous, and sought after, records the history of the Hmong and United States involvement. This pictorial and artistic record on cloth was what the Hmong used to reflect their valiant efforts in fighting alongside, and on behalf of, the United States and their attempts to stop the spread of communism. However, it is more importantly a tribute to the courageous men, women and children who paid with their lives to try to keep their country free.

The majority of the Hmong were resettled in the United States. Lesser number of Hmong individuals were resettled in the countries of Canada, France, Australia and China. As of November 2001 there are approximately 10 million Hmong in the world. The majority, 8.2 millions, live in China, approximately 500,000 in Laos and Thailand combined, 300,000 in the United States and lesser number in other countries.