Posted on 03/30/2012 11:03:57 AM PDT by fatrat
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release March 29, 2012 Presidential Proclamation -- Vietnam Veterans Day
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On January 12, 1962, United States Army pilots lifted more than 1,000 South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon. Operation Chopper marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars. Through more than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our Nation, the service of our men and women in uniform stood true. Fifty years after that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful Nation.
The Vietnam War is a story of service members of different backgrounds, colors, and creeds who came together to complete a daunting mission. It is a story of Americans from every corner of our Nation who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved. It is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear. From Ia Drang to Hue, they won every major battle of the war and upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces.
Eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation. Thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of memories that would never fade. More than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our Nation. Now and forever, their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict's greatest cost.
Our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor, and on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam. Yet, in one of the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected -- to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this happen again. Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us. Half a century after those helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who served, and the millions more who awaited their return. Our Nation stands stronger for their service, and on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor their proud legacy with our deepest gratitude.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
He apparently signed it yesterday, giving plenty of time for organizing celebrations. /sarc
Thank You Vietnam Vets including my beloved husband, Rich, who lies in a National Cemetery (since July 15) among his fellow Nam patriots.
My beloved Rich, F100 fighter pilot in Nam, who now Flies With Eagles and walks with God!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzOj160dKl8
Shouldn’t such proclamations come from Congress?
The president issues so many pandering ‘ABCXYZ Day’ documents that he devalues them.
I didn’t know bozo did this but here in Mobile they’re having a Vietnam Vet appreciation parade tomorrow and all vets have been invited to participate and the public has been asked to stand along side the parade route. I plan to be there proudly waving an American flag.
Did any of the vets (my dad included)even know this?
Sorry for your loss, ExTex...may God bless your husband and welcome him home...
My prayers and condolences are with you.
I knew that AL, LA, OH and several other states were celebrating Vietnam Vets this weekend but had heard nothing about this until about noon yesterday from a vet friend who heard it from somebody in the Veterans Administration. I wonder if the whitehouse decided to rush something out yesterday morning so they could be seen as leading the parade? As far as i can tell, no national news organization has reported it.
This the first time this Vietnam Vet has heard anything about this. Maybe the news about the $640+ Million Lotto news pushed this onto the back page of all the news outlets and into oblivion.
1. There are priorities involved, after all.../sarc
2. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service.
Colonel, USAFR
Thanks Colonel!
Sgt. USMC
High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
May God bless you and your beloved husband ... Vance
Thank you for his service.
We are honored by all who served,
and those who waited.
t.
Why didn’t they let john f’n kerry announce this.
He served in Vietnam ya know. Forty years is a long time.
Kerry was in country four months then bailed with three skingraze Purple Hearts. Until 2004 I never heard of such a thing.
I did my year 1971-72. Wasn’t wounded but I knew guys who were and continued to serve.
Anyway, I feel much more honored by a state holiday recognition than anything out of this WH.
Thanks ETR...(((HUGS)))
Thanks to my brother-in-law who served two tours as a marine.
Thank you Kim Smith!
Thank you for your service in the Navy during this war. It was a hard time for servicemen. You all weren’t thanked back then, we thank you now.
> I did my year 1971-72. Wasn’t wounded but I knew guys who were and continued to serve.
Thank you for your service.
I was there from 12/69-12/71.
I was in the same unit as the traitor, Kerry, never met him; he left about 5 or 6 weeks before I got there.
Like you, I too was never wounded.
He signed this YESTERDAY??!!! What a dolt.
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