ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Secret soldiers fighting communist China in the 1960s and 70s held an honorary ceremony this weekend at the moving wall in Elmira. General Sar Phouthasack led the ceremony Saturday morning and spoke with people afterward about his service and experience.  

General Sar served for MR 3 of the Special Guerilla Unit in the secret Vietnam War of Laos. He first served as a radio communications officer in 1968, where he used the jungle to stay hidden from his enemies. He was responsible for soldier recruitment and training, in addition to managing radio operations in his fight against communist China.  

“We set up headquarters in Thailand,” Sar said. “That time, my responsibility; recruit all the people to training,”  

Sar drove over 5 hours to pay respect to the wall this weekend. He tries to pay respects at places where the wall will be throughout the year. He enjoys sharing his experience with veterans and being praised for his secret service.  

“I have to honor," Sar said. “I met a lot of good people and they honor me. I honor what they did here.”  

Sevieng “Kimmy” Suparat joined the SGU in 1972 before she was captured by Pathet Laos in 1975. She escaped from a POW camp in 1984, after being kept prisoner for 9 years, 4 months, and 10 days. In escaping to Thailand, she had to carry her 1-year-old infant 30 miles barefoot, while also being 7 months pregnant with her second child.  

“I have my second one 7 months and I escape at 1 o'clock in the morning,” Suparat said, “Walk far away from the POW camp.”  

More information about Special Guerrilla Units can be found online.