march 29th vietnam veterans day cause history and documents

MARCH 29th
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
COALITION OF STATES COUNCIL
March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day - Coalition of States Council
c/o Equal Honor For All P.O. Box 32070 Cleveland, OH 44132-0070 Tel. (216) 456-2220
E-mail: march29vietvetday@equalhonor.org www.equalhonor.org/march29vietvetday
President-Elect Donald J. Trump December 26, 2016
Vice President-Elect Michael R. Pence
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan
Senate Majority Leader A. Mitchell McConnell
Senator Richard M. Burr - North Carolina
Dear President Elect Trump, Vice President Elect Pence and members of Congress:
Congratulations on being chosen to lead and return our nation to our Founders’ and God’s intended
purpose and we wish you utmost success, best of health and serenity in accomplishing that mission.
You are invited to a once in a lifetime opportunity and a significant step in affirming your commitment to
honor and support Veterans. As a unifying gesture for our country and its citizens at the start of this promising
presidency with a Congress majority also from the Republican Party, please deliver as your first enacted legislation
the establishment of March 29th
as the permanent national Vietnam Veterans Day. Proposed wording included.
Please note that the proposed legislation wording by this council coincides with the wording used in the
mission by Department of Defense in the Commemoration of the 50th
Anniversary of the Vietnam War.
You will deliver on behalf of the nation and your fellow citizens this overdue expression of gratitude and
respect to those who earned it through great personal and family sacrifice while serving our country during the
Vietnam War and its Era. Upon their return home, those who served and their families endured more suffering.
This act of good conscience was introduced across the country in many states by those on this Coalition of
States Council and others. National legislation has been championed by Senator Burr in previous sessions of
Congress but was stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Finalizing this permanent recognition will be a legacy
of care, preserving for current and future generations the values embraced and cherished by our fellow citizens of
respect for our nation’s defenders, plus loving and dedicated support for them and their families.
We will leave a clear message of gratitude and respect to the “Greatest citizens of each of our nation’s
generations: those who died defending our country, those who served, those who stand vigilant now and will in
the future, their respective families, and the loving citizens who supported them and their loved ones while the
defenders were in harm’s way and embraced them and their families when they came home and made it their
lifetime duty to help them all heal”.
Let this be a reminder and a promise that “Never again will a generation of citizens and veterans abandon
those who served or are serving their country nor their respective families”.
To eliminate any delays/concerns, included is this effort’s history and material substantiating March 29th
and why it should not be March 30th
as the date, as well as to why not to use Welcome Home in the name.
God bless America and the World, because only then will the USA will not need be the arbiter for good
nor our nation’s defenders’ blood be shed or lives extinguished, and their families eternal heartaches prevented.
Respectfully,
_____________________, Council Secretary
R. Ray Saikus, Ohio Delegate
Direct Tel. (216) 514-7001
Direct E-mail: rrs@equalhonor.org

March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day Coalition of States Council to PEOTUS Trump/Congress 20161226 page 2 of 2
March 29th
E-mail: march29vietvetday@equalhonor.org www.equalhonor.org/march29vietvetday
March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day Cause - History and Timeline
(1) Various states initiate Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day starting in 2008, some observe on March
29th
and others on March 30th
, some observe on other dates. Those various dates remain across states as
listed on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) website and included in this document.
(2) February and March 2011 - Congress (Senate S.RES. 55 and House H.Res. 184) initiates resolutions to
commemorate March 30 2011 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
(3) March 17, 2011 - Ray Saikus of Equal Honor For All sends e-mail to Senator Burr advising about negative
implications of using March 30th
as the date and also the reasoning why not to use Welcome Home in the
name. Followed by formation of March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day Coalition of States Council (VVDCOSC).
(4) May 26, 2011 – Senators Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Burr (R-NC) initiate new resolution for a March 29th
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day with a letter requesting President Obama to proclaim it in 2012.
(5) Summer, Fall and Winter of 2011 – Ray Saikus, spokesman for March 29th
VVDCOSC, interacts with
Congress, Secretary of Veterans Affairs office and its liaison with the White House to keep momentum in
delivering on the proclamation and correcting name by removing Welcome Home from day’s designation.
(6) November 23, 2011 – endorsed - Vietnam Veterans of America and its Council of State Council Presidents
(7) March 28, 2012 - Ray Saikus, spokesman for March 29th
VVDCOSC, informs Congress as well as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs liaison to White House of the resolution news release and letter to President
Obama already disseminated to over 10,000 members of Facebook March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day
cause page at www.causes.com/causes/654657 and about 4900 at www.causes.com/march29vietvetday.
(8) March 29, 2012 - White House delivers March 29th
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY proclamation at 12:00 p.m.
(9) March 29, 2012 – Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduces bill 112-S.2255 to establish March 29th
Vietnam
Veterans Day in perpetuity, is referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary and it dies there
(10)February 28, 2013 - Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduces bill 113-S.409 to establish March 29th
Vietnam
Veterans Day in perpetuity, is referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary and it dies there again
(11) March 27, 2015 - Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduces resolution 114-S.RES. 130 to commemorate
March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day. A resolution is appreciated but does not fulfill intent of legislation.
(12) Note that since the March 29, 2012 Vietnam Veterans Day proclamation, there have been no further
proclamations by President Obama commemorating March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day.
(13) March 29, 2016 – The Department of Veterans Affairs conducts Vietnam Veterans Day and 50th
Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemorations at facilities across the country. Military Times article.
(14) March 30, 2016 - National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) updates listing by state of Vietnam
Veterans Day commemoration by resolution or statute after contacted by March 29th
VVDCOSC.
Index of included documents
(1) National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) updated listing by state of Vietnam Veterans Day
(2) March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day Coalition of States Council (VVDCOSC) Cause flyer with proposed
national March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day legislation in perpetuity.
(3) Military Times March 29, 2016 article “Vietnam Veterans Day honors troops” by Patricia Kime
(4) Senator Burr resolution 114-S.RES. 130 to commemorate March 29th
(5) Senator Burr introduced bill 113-S.409 to establish March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day in perpetuity
(6) Senator Burr introduced bill 112-S.2255 to establish March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day in perpetuity
(7) President Obama March 29th
Vietnam Veterans Day 2012 proclamation
(8) Congress news release w/letter to President Obama to proclaim in 2012 March 29th
(9) Vietnam Veterans of America letter to Eric Cantor supporting creating March 29th
(10) Ray Saikus (Equal Honor For All) email to Senator Burr - correct to 29th
date and remove Welcome Home
(11) Senate S.RES. 55 resolution to commemorate March 30 2011 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
(12) House H.Res. 184 resolutions to commemorate March 30 2011 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
(13) President Reagan proclamation - May 7 1985 as Vietnam Veterans Day
(14) President Nixon proclamation – March 29, 1974 Vietnam Veterans Day and Public Law 93-232
(15) Complete listing of returned Prisoners of War from Vietnam Era, confirming last arrival March 29, 1973

MARCH 29th
USA
March 29th
E-mail: info@equalhonor.org www.equalhonor.org/march29vietvetday
March 29, 1973 - last combat troops withdrawn from Vietnam
March 29, 1973 - last of the Vietnam War POWs (Prisoners of War) held in North Vietnam arrived home on
United States of America soil
March 29, 1974 - Vietnam Veterans Day commemorated by Presidential Proclamation & Public Law 93-232
March 29, 2012 - Vietnam Veterans Day commemorated by Presidential Proclamation & Congress Resolution
March 29, 2016 – Veterans Affairs Medical Centers/Clinics nationwide commemorated Vietnam Veterans Day
March 29th Vietnam Veterans Day "FOREVER" needs to be again introduced in Congress
HELP US GET CONGRESS TO FINALLY DELIVER OVERDUE HONOR AND THANKS
Become a voice for "Those who no longer have a voice or a choice": the 58,282 who lost their lives during
the Vietnam War, all of our Veterans who died since then as a consequence of it, and the ones who came back
with the physical and emotional wounds, and their respective families. Proposed legislation on next pages.
WHY NO to March 30th as date
(a) March 30th is tainted because the blood of our nation's defenders was spilled by the North Vietnamese when
the Eastertide invasion (Easter Offensive) started on March 30, 1972 and lasted through October 22 of 1972, a
complete affront to our goodwill at the peace negotiations.
(b) The Easter Offensive, and also (Chiến dịch Xuân hè 1972 in Vietnamese) was a military campaign
conducted by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) against the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN, the
regular army of South Vietnam) and the United States military.
(c) The offensive was given a title steeped in Vietnamese history. In 1773 the three Tây Sơn brothers (so-called
because of the place of their origin) united a Vietnam divided by civil war and social unrest. The youngest
brother, Nguyễn Huệ, then defeated an invading Chinese army on the outskirts of Hanoi in 1788. This was an
obvious 200th anniversary goal to unite Vietnam under Communist rule regardless of the Peace Treaty
negotiations.
(d) Also on March 30 of 1975, the North Vietnamese again violated the peace accords and disregarded our
goodwill and deprived the South Vietnamese people of their right of self determination agreed to by the North.
It created despair and brought the death of more of our people while trying to protect and help evacuate the
people of the illegally occupied South Vietnam.
WHY NO to "WELCOME HOME" in name
Using "Welcome Home" comes across like a "LAST MAN STANDING" tribute and lacks clarity as to whom
gratitude and respect should be delivered especially those who gave their lives for our country. This day is a
perpetual message on behalf of "THOSE WHO NO LONGER HAVE A VOICE OR A CHOICE" that no other
generation of our nation’s defenders will endure the same pain.
Our newest generation of veterans, as well as current and future nation’s defenders will find comfort to know
that their sacrifice and service and that of their families will also not be forgotten, many being
children/grandchildren of Vietnam War and Era Veterans.

MARCH 29th
USA
March 29th
May 1, 2011 Original / March 15, 2016 Revision
* PROPOSED LEGISLATION *
On behalf of the citizens of our great nation, the United States of America, and on behalf of the 111th
Congress
and the President of United States, this legislation is enacted to be an expression of eternal gratitude and respect
to those who served during the Vietnam War Era and to be commemorated as Vietnam Veterans Day on the
29th
of March of each year in perpetuity.
This Official Day of Recognition will serve as a vivid reminder that:
On March 29, 1973, the last 2,500 troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam thus ending military
involvement in what is now the longest war in our country’s history, and
On March 29, 1973, the last of the Vietnam War POWs (Prisoners of War) held in North Vietnam
arrived home on United States of America soil, and
March 29, 1974 was declared Vietnam Veterans Day by Presidential order and the support of Congress
with Public Law 93-232, and
March 29, 2012 was declared Vietnam Veterans Day by Presidential Proclamation with the support of
Congress on the eve of the 50th
Anniversary Commemoration of the beginning of the Vietnam War, and
58,195 honorable and brave souls who fought and died during the Vietnam War, ones who are missing,
and those who died since from the consequences of that war, deserve the eternal gratitude and respect of this
nation, and
The men and women who served with dedication, honor, and pride during the Vietnam War, both in
country and in support of those in harm’s way as well as those protecting our freedoms at home and throughout
other parts of the world at that time, deserve the eternal gratitude and respect of this nation, and
The families, whose loved ones gave their lives for our country during the Vietnam War or died later as
a consequence of it, deserve the eternal gratitude and respect of this nation, and

MARCH 29th
USA
March 29th
May 1, 2011 Original / March 15, 2016 Revision
* PROPOSED LEGISLATION *
(Continued)
The families of those men and women who came home with the physical and emotional wounds of the
Vietnam War and committed to a lifetime of care and support for their loved one, deserve the eternal gratitude
and respect of this nation, and
The fellow citizens who stood by and supported, the families of the fallen as well as the Vietnam
veterans who returned and their families without reservation and with loving care and respect, deserve the
eternal gratitude and respect of this nation, and
The professionals and volunteers who committed themselves to the loving care and healing of the bodily
and emotionally wounded from the Vietnam War at home, and have already the utmost gratitude of those they
cared for and of their families, deserve the eternal gratitude and respect of this nation, and
The men and women of our Allies who served with dedication, honor, and pride alongside our Nation’s
defenders during the Vietnam War, both in country and in support of those in harm’s way as well as those
protecting our freedoms and throughout other parts of the world at that time, deserve the eternal gratitude and
respect of this nation, and
This expression of gratitude and respect to the Vietnam Veterans and their families will also give hope
and assurance, to current and future generations of our Nation’s Defenders and their respective families, that
their sacrifice and service will not be forgotten and deserving of a distinct recognition of the eternal gratitude
and respect of this nation, and
And this expression of gratitude and respect for the honorable sacrifice and service by the Vietnam
Veterans and past as well as current and future generations of our nation’s defenders and their respective
families, needs to remain in the hearts and thoughts of our fellow citizens forever, passed on from generation to
generation.

5/9/2016 Vietnam Veterans Day
http://www.ncsl.org/research/militaryandveteransaffairs/vietnamveteransdaylegislationandstatutes.aspx 1/16
RESOURCES
A Deserved Day of
Rememberance and
Recognition: Honoring Vietnam
Veterans | Blog by Brooke
Oleen Tieperman
CONTACTS
Brooke Oleen
Jennifer Schultz
3/30/2016
Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the
sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their
families and is part of a national effort to
recognize the men and women who were
denied a proper welcome upon returning
home more than 40 years ago.
Most states celebrate “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans
Day” on March 29 or 30 of each year. Though there is some
debate, March 29 is generally viewed as a more appropriate
date. On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were
withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in
North Vietnam arrived on American soil. It is also the date
President Nixon chose for the first Vietnam Veterans Day in
1974.
The chart below contains enacted legislation and resolutions from 42 states and Puerto Rico to
designate a Vietnam Veterans Day.
LEGISLATION AND RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO VIETNAM VETERANS
DAY
State Statute/Legislation Citation Status Summary
Alabama 2012 HJR 66 Enacted, 2012
Ala. Acts, Act
047
Designates March
30, 2012 as
Vietnam Veterans
Appreciation Day.
2012 HJR 67 Enacted, 2012
Ala. Acts, Act
048
Designates March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2012 SJR 18 Enacted, 2012
Ala. Acts, Act
009
Designates March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2010 HJR 963 Enacted, 2010
Ala. Acts, Act
640
Honors Vietnam
veterans and
encourages

establishment of
a welcome home
celebration in
2011.
2005 HJR 509/ HR 503 Adopted Recognizes
national Vietnam
Veterans
Appreciation
Week during May
17, 2005.
Alaska 2013 HB 67 Enacted, 2013
Alaska Sess.
Laws, Chap. 3
Designates March
29 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Arizona 2014 SB 1312 Enacted, 2014
Ariz. Sess.
Laws, Chap.
79
Designates March
29 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans' Day.
California 2011 ACR 63 Adopted Designates June
19, 2011 as
Veterans of the
Republic of
Vietnam Armed
Forces Day.
2010 AB 1775 Enacted, 2010
Calif. Stats.,
Chap. 241
Designates March
30 of each year
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Encourages all
public schools
and educational
institutions to
conduct exercises
recognizing the
contributions of
those involved in
the Vietnam War.
2009 AB 717 Enacted,
2009 Calif.
Stats., Chap.
Directs the
governor to
annually proclaim

158 March 30 of each
year as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2009 SR 18 Adopted Designates March
30,
2009 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day and
urges all
Californians to
remember those
servicemen and
women who
served their
country during the
Vietnam War era
and to those who
continue to
protect our
country.
2008 ACR 151 Adopted Designates
December 1014,
2008 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Week.
2004 ACR 171 Adopted Designates March
8, 2005 a day in
honor of Vietnam
War veterans and
proclaims that the
state fly its flags
at halfmast on
that day in honor
of these veterans.
Colorado 2010 SJR 48 Adopted Concerns
recognition of
military personnel
from Colorado
who served in the
Vietnam War and
honoring those

who were injured
or who died while
serving their
country.
Connecticut 2010 HB 5352 Enacted, 2010
Conn. Acts,
P.A. 40
Directs the
governor to
proclaim March
30 of each year
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day to
commemorate
and honor the
return home of
the members of
the armed forces
who served in
Vietnam. Suitable
exercises shall be
held in the State
Capitol and
elsewhere for the
observance of the
day.
Delaware 2015 HCR 31 Adopted Designates March
30, 2015 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
Florida 2014 HR 9055 Adopted Designates March
30 of each
year as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Georgia 2015 SR 96 Adopted Commends all
Vietnam era and
Vietnam War
veterans and their
families.
Recognizes the
week of May 6
12, 2015 as the

40th anniversary
observance of the
ending of the
Vietnam War.
2010 HR 1723 Adopted Commends
Georgia's
Vietnam veterans
and recognizes
March 30, 2010
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2013 SR 615 Adopted Encourages
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
parades and
similar events.
Idaho 2014 HCR 51 Adopted Encourages the
people of Idaho to
observe Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day with
ceremonies and
activities that
promote
awareness of the
contributions of
Vietnam War
veterans and the
importance of
helping those
veterans readjust
to civilian life.
Iowa 2012 HR 115 Adopted Designates March
30, 2012 as
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
2008 SR 139 Adopted Humbly thanks
America's
Vietnam veterans
and recognizes

May 7, 2008 as
Vietnam Veterans
Recognition Day
in Iowa.
2005 SR 42 Adopted Humbly thanks
America's
Vietnam veterans
for standing
strong when they
were needed and
answering the
challenge when
they were called.
Illinois 2013 SJR 3 Adopted Proclaims March
30, 2013 and
March 30, 2014
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2011 HR 223 Adopted Proclaims March
30, 2011 and
March 30, 2012
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2010 HJR 89 Adopted Proclaims March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Indiana 2014 HCR 22 Adopted Urges the
Governor to
designate March
30 each year as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
2012 SCR 34 Adopted Urges the
Governor to
designate March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam

Veteran's Day.
2009 HCR 83 Adopted Designates March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2009 SCR 87 Adopted Designates March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Kansas 2014 HR 6067/SR 1805 Adopted Designates March
30, 2014 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
Louisiana 2009 HCR 39 Adopted Designates March
30 of each year
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Maine 2011 HB 12 Enacted, 2011
Me. Laws,
Chap. 2011
92
Designates March
30 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans
Remembrance
Day.
Maryland 2015 HB 1118 Enacted: 2015
Md. Laws,
Chap. 1
Designates March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day in
recognition of the
service and
sacrifice of
Vietnam veterans.
Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 6
§15MM
Enacted, 1979
Mass. Acts,
Chap. 244
Directs
the governor to
annually issue a
proclamation
setting apart
March 29 as
Vietnam Veterans

Day and
recommending
that said day be
observed in an
appropriate
manner by the
people.
Minnesota 2009 HF 1400/ SF 1142 Enacted, 2009
Minn. Laws,
Chap. 10
Designates June
13, 2009 as
Honoring All
Vietnam Era
Veterans Day.
2008 HF 2582/ SF 2632
Minn. Stat. Ann. §197.995
Enacted, 2008
Minn. Laws,
Chap. 164
Designates March
29 as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Missouri 2012 HB 1128 Enacted,
Signed by
Governor
Designates March
30 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Montana 2011 HB 255 Enacted, 2011
Mont. Laws,
Chap. 89
Designates March
30 of each year
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
New
Hampshire
2011 SB 398 Enacted, 2012
N.H. Laws,
Chap. 2012
222
Designates March
30 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day to
acknowledge and
commemorate
the military
service of
American men
and women in
Vietnam.
New Jersey 1991 AB 3327 Enacted, 1991
N.J. Laws,
Chap. 100
Designates May
7 of each year as
Vietnam Veterans'
Remembrance
Day in the State

of New Jersey to
honor those
veterans who
served in Vietnam
with valor and to
remember the
heroic men and
women from the
state who lost
their lives in the
service of their
country. Directs
the Governor to
issue an annual
proclamation.
New Mexico 2013 HJM 4 Adopted Requests that the
governor declare
March 29, 2013
as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2009 HM 48 Adopted Declares March
27, 2009 as
Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Day in
the New Mexico
House of
Representatives.
New York 2008 SB 6472

Enacted, 2008
N.Y. Laws,
Chap. 90
Designates March
29 as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
North Carolina 2011 SB 959 Adopted Expresses
support for the
designation of an
annual Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
North Dakota 2009 SB 2192 Enacted, 2009
N.D. Sess.
Laws, Chap.
66
Designates March
29 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Ohio 2011 SB 134 Enacted, 2012 Designates March

Ohio Laws, S.
134
30 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Oklahoma 2014 SCR 37 Adopted Designates March
29, 2014 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day. Encourages
citizens to
participate with
celebrations.
1998 HB 2255 Enacted, 1998
Okla. Sess.
Laws, Chap. 7
Designates the
third Thursday of
March of each
year as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Authorizes the
governor to issue
a proclamation
annually calling
on the citizens of
the state to
observe the day,
and to urge all
state agencies,
interested
organizations,
groups and
individuals to fly
the American flag
at halfstaff.
2004 HR 1039 Adopted Creates
awareness for the
third Thursday in
March as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Oregon 2013 HCR 3 Adopted Recognizes
Korean veterans
for their service
during Vietnam
War.

2011 SB 74 Enacted, 2011
Or. Laws,
Chap. 13
Designates March
30 of each year
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
Pennsylvania 2015 HR 57 Adopted Designates March
30, 2015 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
2013 HR 574 Adopted Designates March
30, 3014 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
30, 2012 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
29, 2010 as
Vietnam Veterans
Day to recognize
the selfless
service and
supreme sacrifice
of Vietnamera
veterans.
2009 HR 50 / SR 40 Adopted Designates March
30, 2009 as
Vietnam Veterans
Day and May 25,
2009 as Fallen
Heroes of the
Vietnam War Day
in Pennsylvania to
recognize the
selfless service
and supreme
sacrifice of

Vietnam veterans.
2008 HR 586 Adopted Recognizes
March 30,
2008 as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day.
2660 SR 277 Adopted Designates May
7, 2006 as
Vietnam Veteran
Remembrance
Day.
2006 HR 709 Adopted Designates April
25, 2006 as
Vietnam Veteran
Remembrance
Day.
2003 HR 275/ SR 96 Adopted Designates May
7, 2003 as
Vietnam Veterans
Recognition Day.
Rhode Island 2011 HR 6012 Adopted Designates March
30th, 2011 as
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
South Carolina 2011 HB 3925 Adopted Designates March
26, 2011 as
Vietnamera
Veterans
Appreciation Day
in Oconee county,
offers the
gratitude of the
state House of
Representatives
for the military
service of these
heroes.
2006 HB 4313 Enacted, 2006
S.C. Acts, Act
Provides that the
first Friday in May

268 of each year is
declared to be
Vietnam Veterans
Survivors' and
Remembrance
Day in South
Carolina.
South Dakota 2013 SB 83 Enacted, 2013
S.D. Sess.
Laws, Chap.
83
Designates
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day as a working
holiday.
29, 2008 as
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
Tennessee 2008 HB 2452/ SB 2643 Enacted, 2008
Tenn. Public
Acts, Chap.
613
Designates March
29 as Vietnam
Veterans Day a
day of special
observance.
Texas 2009 SB 1903 Enacted,
Texas Gen.
Laws, Chap.
558
Designates March
29 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans Day and
requires the day
to be regularly
observed by
appropriate
ceremonies.
29, 2010, as
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
Utah 2014 HB 275 Enacted, 2014
Utah Laws,
Chap. 86
Designates March
29 of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans
Recognition Day.
Vermont 2011 HJR 31 Adopted Joint Resolution

urging Congress
to designate
March 29 as
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
Virginia 2010 HJR 136/SJR 42 Adopted Designates March
30 of each year
as Welcome
Home Vietnam
Veterans Day to
celebrate the
service and
numerous
contributions of
the
Commonwealth’s
Vietnamera
veterans and to
coincide with the
national
observance of the
day.
2009 HB 2594 Enacted,
2009 Va. Acts,
Chap. 489
Designates the
first full week of
November of
each year as
Vietnam War
Memorial
Dedication Week
and Veterans'
Recognition Week
in the
Commonwealth,
to honor in
perpetuity the
men and women
who have served
their country as
members of the
armed forces
during the
Vietnam War.

Washington 2013 HB 1319 Enacted, 2013
Wash. Laws,
Chap. 5
Recognizes a
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
2013 SR 8643 Adopted Proclaims
Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans
Day.
West Virginia 2012 HB 4493 Enacted, 2012
W. Va. Acts,
Chap. 200
Directs the
governor to
declare March 30
as a special
memorial day to
be known as
Vietnam Veteran
Recognition Day
honoring all West
Virginians who
served in the
United States
Armed Forces in
the Republic of
Vietnam during
the period
beginning Feb.
28, 1961 ending
May 7, 1975, and
to encourage all
counties and
municipalities in
the state to do the
same.
2005 HCR 46 Adopted Recognizes and
acknowledges
Vietnam Veterans
Recognition
Week to be held
in homage of the
honorable and
dedicated
veterans who
served during the

Vietnam War.
Wisconsin 2009 SB 76 Enacted, 2009
Wis. Laws,
Act 36
Designates March
29 as Vietnam
Veterans Day to
recognize the
1,239 Wisconsin
armed forces
members who are
listed on the
Vietnam Memorial
Wall in
Washington, D.C.
The bill requires
the governor to
issue a
proclamation for
the observation of
that day, asking
the public to recall
the Vietnam
veterans’
accomplishments
and to thank
those veterans for
their service
during the
Vietnam War.
Puerto Rico 2009 SB 2035 Enacted, 2011
Puerto Rico
Acts, 269
2011
Designates March
30th of each year
as Vietnam
Veterans' Day in
Puerto Rico.

12/27/2016 U.S. military dependents ordered to leave Turkey
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/03/29/usmilitarydependentsorderedleaveturkey/82377984/ 1/2
Hundreds of events were held across the U.S. on Tuesday to commemorate Vietnam Veterans
Day, an unofficial observance that marks the final withdrawal of combat units and support
personnel from South Vietnam in 1973.
Part of an ongoing effort to honor U.S. troops who
served during the Vietnam War era, the events — from
a wreath laying by Defense Secretary Ash Carter and
Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to
photo exhibits and memorials at VA centers and
cemeteries — are meant to recognize those “who have
‘borne the battle,’” McDonald said.
Vietnam Veterans Day honors troops
By: Patricia Kime, March 29, 2016 (Photo Credit: Mike Morones/Staff)
Carter, McDonald lay
wreath at Vietnam
Veterans Memorial
March 29
VIEW ALL
14

12/27/2016 U.S. military dependents ordered to leave Turkey
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/03/29/usmilitarydependentsorderedleaveturkey/82377984/ 2/2
“When Vietnam veterans came home 50 years ago they didn¹t get the kind of welcome that
veterans get today," McDonald said. "What Ash and I tried to do today was to welcome home all
those veterans and make sure that they felt the thanks and appreciation that veterans today
feel."
The Defense Department is overseeing a 13-year commemoration to recognize those who served
on active duty from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, many of whom returned home from the
unpopular war without fanfare or appreciation.
Since 2011, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has tried to designate March 29 officially as Vietnam
Veterans Day, but his proposed legislation has failed to gain steam in Congress.
In 2012, President Obama issued a proclamation formally observing the day in response to a
request from Burr and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
“Our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor. … 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,” Obama wrote in 2012.
The Vietnam War Commemoration will run through Veterans Day 2025, and more than 5,300
activities have been planned to date. A full listing of events, as well as an interactive historical
timeline of the Vietnam War, fact sheets, map and more, can be found at the DoD Vietnam War
Commemmoration website.
According to the VA, more than 329 medical centers, regional benefit offices and national
cemeteries planned to participate in events Tuesday.
"Our nation is currently commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, a long
overdue opportunity to honor the 7.2 million living Vietnam veterans and the 9 million families of
those of us who served. … Thank a Vietnam veteran and welcome them home,” McDonald said.
Patricia Kime covers military and veterans health care and medicine for Military Times. She can be
reached at pkime@militarytimes.com.

III
114TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. RES. 130
Designating March 29, 2015, as ‘‘Vietnam Veterans Day’’.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MARCH 27 (legislative day, MARCH 26), 2015
Mr. BURR (for himself and Mrs. BOXER) submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
RESOLUTION
Designating March 29, 2015, as ‘‘Vietnam Veterans Day’’.
Whereas the Vietnam War was fought in the Republic of
South Vietnam from 1961 to 1975, and involved North
Vietnamese regular forces and Viet Cong guerrilla forces
in armed conflict with United States Armed Forces, allies
of the United States, and the armed forces of the Repub-
lic of Vietnam;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces became involved in
Vietnam because the United States Government wanted
to provide direct military support to the Government of
South Vietnam to defend itself against the growing Com-
munist threat from North Vietnam;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces began
serving in an advisory role to the Government of the Re-
public of South Vietnam in 1950;
VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:43 Mar 27, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:BILLSSR130.IS SR130
emcdonaldonDSK67QTVN1PRODwithBILLS

2
•SRES 130 IS
Whereas as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on Au-
gust 2 and 4, 1964, Congress overwhelmingly passed the
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law 88–408), on Au-
gust 7, 1964, which provided the authority to the Presi-
dent of the United States to prosecute the war against
North Vietnam;
Whereas in 1965, United States Armed Forces ground com-
bat units arrived in Vietnam;
Whereas by September 1965, there were over 129,000 United
States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969, a peak of ap-
proximately 543,000 troops was reached;
Whereas on January 27, 1973, the Agreement Ending the
War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (commonly known
as the ‘‘Paris Peace Accords’’) was signed, which re-
quired the release of all United States prisoners-of-war
held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of all United
States Armed Forces from South Vietnam;
Whereas on March 29, 1973, the United States Armed
Forces completed the withdrawal of combat units and
combat support units from South Vietnam;
Whereas on April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese regular forces
captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, effectively
placing South Vietnam under Communist control;
Whereas more than 58,000 members of the United States
Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than
300,000 members of the Armed Forces were wounded;
Whereas in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedi-
cated in the District of Columbia to commemorate those
members of the United States Armed Forces who died or
were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam;

3
•SRES 130 IS
Whereas the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue
among the people of the United States and a conflict that
caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the
United States public to acknowledge and honor the ef-
forts and services of such veterans;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces who
served bravely and faithfully for the United States during
the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for the
policy decisions made by 4 presidential administrations in
the United States; and
Whereas designating March 29, 2015, as ‘‘Vietnam Veterans
Day’’ would be an appropriate way to honor those mem-
bers of the United States Armed Forces who served in
South Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia during
the Vietnam War: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—1
(1) designates March 29, 2015, as ‘‘Vietnam2
Veterans Day’’;3
(2) honors and recognizes the contributions of4
veterans who served in the United States Armed5
Forces in Vietnam during war and during peace;6
(3) encourages States and local governments to7
designate March 29, 2015, as ‘‘Vietnam Veterans8
Day’’; and9
(4) encourages the people of the United States10
to observe the Vietnam Veterans Day with appro-11
priate ceremonies and activities that—12

4
•SRES 130 IS
(A) provide the appreciation veterans of1
the Vietnam War deserve, but did not receive2
upon returning home from the war;3
(B) demonstrate the resolve that never4
again shall the people of the United States dis-5
regard and denigrate a generation of veterans;6
(C) promote awareness of the faithful serv-7
ice and contributions of the veterans of the8
Vietnam War during military service as well as9
to the communities of the veterans since return-10
ing home;11
(D) promote awareness of the importance12
of entire communities empowering veterans and13
the families of veterans in helping the veterans14
readjust to civilian life after military service;15
and16
(E) promote opportunities for veterans of17
the Vietnam War to assist younger veterans re-18
turning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan19
in rehabilitation from wounds, both seen and20
unseen, and to support the reintegration of21
younger veterans into civilian life.22
Æ

II
113TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. 409
To add Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and national observance.
FEBRUARY 28, 2013
Mr. BURR (for himself and Mrs. BOXER) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To add Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and national
observance.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,2
SECTION 1. VIETNAM VETERANS DAY.3
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—4
(1) the Vietnam War was fought in the Repub-5
lic of South Vietnam from 1961 to 1975, and in-6
volved North Vietnamese regular forces and Viet7
Cong guerrilla forces in armed conflict with United8
States Armed Forces, allies of the United States,9
and the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam;10
VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:36 Mar 01, 2013 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:BILLSS409.IS S409
srobertsonDSK5SPTVN1PRODwithBILLS

2
•S 409 IS
(2) the United States Armed Forces became in-1
volved in Vietnam because the United States Gov-2
ernment wanted to provide direct military support to3
the Government of South Vietnam to defend itself4
against the growing Communist threat from North5
Vietnam;6
(3) members of the United States Armed7
Forces began serving in an advisory role to the Gov-8
ernment of the Republic of South Vietnam in 1950;9
(4) as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents10
on August 2 and 4, 1964, Congress overwhelmingly11
passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law12
88–408), on August 7, 1964, which provided the au-13
thority to the President of the United States to14
prosecute the war against North Vietnam;15
(5) in 1965, United States Armed Forces16
ground combat units arrived in Vietnam;17
(6) by September 1965, there were over18
129,000 United States troops in Vietnam, and by19
1969, a peak of approximately 543,000 troops was20
reached;21
(7) on January 27, 1973, the Agreement End-22
ing the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (com-23
monly known as the ‘‘Paris Peace Accords’’) was24
signed, which required the release of all United25

3
•S 409 IS
States prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and1
the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces2
from South Vietnam;3
(8) on March 29, 1973, the United States4
Armed Forces completed the withdrawal of combat5
units and combat support units from South Viet-6
nam;7
(9) on April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese reg-8
ular forces captured Saigon, the capitol of South9
Vietnam, effectively placing South Vietnam under10
Communist control;11
(10) more than 58,000 members of the United12
States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and13
more than 300,000 members of the Armed Forces14
were wounded;15
(11) in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial16
was dedicated in the District of Columbia to com-17
memorate those members of the United States18
Armed Forces who died or were declared missing-in-19
action in Vietnam;20
(12) the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive21
issue among the people of the United States and a22
conflict that caused a generation of veterans to wait23
too long for the United States public to acknowledge24
and honor the efforts and services of such veterans;25

4
•S 409 IS
Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the2
United States during the Vietnam War were often3
wrongly criticized for the policy decisions made by 44
presidential administrations in the United States;5
(14) the establishment of a ‘‘Vietnam Veterans6
Day’’ would be an appropriate way to honor those7
members of the United States Armed Forces who8
served in South Vietnam and throughout Southeast9
Asia during the Vietnam War;10
(15) March 29 would be an appropriate day to11
establish as ‘‘Vietnam Veterans Day’’; and12
(16) President Obama designated March 29,13
2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day under Presidential14
Proclamation 8789 (77 Fed. Reg. 20275).15
(b) VIETNAM VETERANS DAY.—Chapter 1 of title 36,16
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the17
following:18
‘‘§ 145. Vietnam Veterans Day19
‘‘The President may issue each year a proclama-20
tion—21
‘‘(1) designating March 29 as Vietnam Vet-22
erans Day;23

5
•S 409 IS
‘‘(2) honoring and recognizing the contributions1
of veterans who served in the United States Armed2
‘‘(3) encouraging States and local governments4
to establish a Vietnam Veterans Day; and5
‘‘(4) encouraging the people of the United6
States to observe Vietnam Veterans Day with appro-7
priate ceremonies and activities that—8
‘‘(A) provide the appreciation veterans of9
‘‘(B) demonstrate the resolve that never12
‘‘(C) promote awareness of the faithful15
service and contributions of the veterans of the16
ing home;19
‘‘(D) promote awareness of the importance20
and24

6
•S 409 IS
‘‘(E) promote opportunities for veterans of1
younger veterans into civilian life.’’.6
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-7
tions for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is8
amended by adding at the end the following:9
‘‘145. Vietnam Veterans Day.’’.
Æ

II
112TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
S. 2255
To amend chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, to add Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance.
MARCH 29, 2012
Mr. BURR (for himself and Mrs. BOXER) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, to
add Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic
and National observance.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,2
SECTION 1. WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY.3
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—4
(1) the Vietnam War was fought in the Repub-5
lic of South Vietnam from 1961 to 1975, and in-6
volved North Vietnamese regular forces and Viet7
Cong guerrilla forces in armed conflict with United8
States Armed Forces, allies of the United States,9
and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam;10
srobinsononDSK4SPTVN1PRODwithBILLS

2
•S 2255 IS
(2) the United States Armed Forces became in-1
volved in Vietnam because the United States Gov-2
ernment wanted to provide direct military support to3
the Government of South Vietnam to defend itself4
against the growing Communist threat from North5
Vietnam;6
Forces began serving in an advisory role to the Gov-8
ernment of the Republic of South Vietnam in 1961;9
(4) as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents10
on August 2 and 4, 1964, Congress overwhelmingly11
passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law12
88–408), on August 7, 1964, which provided the au-13
thority to the President of the United States to14
prosecute the war against North Vietnam;15
(5) in 1965, United States Armed Forces16
ground combat units arrived in Vietnam;17
(6) by the end of 1965, there were 80,00018
United States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969, a19
peak of approximately 543,000 troops was reached;20
(7) on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris21
was signed, which required the release of all United22
States prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and23
the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces24
from South Vietnam;25

3
•S 2255 IS
(8) on March 29, 1973, the United States1
Armed Forces completed the withdrawal of combat2
units and combat support units from South Viet-3
nam;4
(9) on April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese reg-5
ular forces captured Saigon, the capitol of South6
Vietnam, effectively placing South Vietnam under7
Communist control;8
(10) more than 58,000 members of the United9
States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and10
more than 300,000 members of the Armed Forces11
were wounded;12
(11) in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial13
was dedicated in the District of Columbia to com-14
memorate those members of the United States15
Armed Forces who died or were declared missing-in-16
action in Vietnam;17
(12) the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive18
issue among the people of the United States and a19
conflict that caused a generation of veterans to wait20
too long for the United States public to acknowledge21
and honor the efforts and services of such veterans;22
Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the24
United States during the Vietnam War were often25

4
•S 2255 IS
wrongly criticized for the policy decisions made by 41
presidential administrations in the United States;2
(14) the establishment of a ‘‘Welcome Home3
Vietnam Veterans Day’’ would be an appropriate4
way to honor those members of the United States5
Armed Forces who served in South Vietnam and6
throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War;7
and8
(15) March 29 would be an appropriate day to9
establish as ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans10
Day’’.11
(b) WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY.—12
Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by13
adding at the end the following:14
‘‘§ 145. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day15
‘‘The President may issue each year a proclama-16
tion—17
‘‘(1) designating March 29 as Welcome Home18
Vietnam Veterans Day;19
‘‘(2) honoring and recognizing the contributions20
of veterans who served in the United States Armed21
‘‘(3) encouraging States and local governments23
to establish a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans24
Day; and25

5
•S 2255 IS
‘‘(4) encouraging the people of the United1
States to observe Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans2
Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities3
that—4
‘‘(A) provide the appreciation veterans of5
‘‘(B) demonstrate the resolve that never8
‘‘(C) promote awareness of the faithful11
service and contributions of the veterans of the12
ing home;15
‘‘(D) promote awareness of the importance16
and20
‘‘(E) promote opportunities for veterans of21

6
•S 2255 IS
younger veterans into civilian life.’’.2
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-3
tions for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is4
amended by adding at the end the following:5
‘‘145. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.’’.
Æ

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Home • Briefing Room • Presidential Actions • Proclamations Search WhiteHouse.gov
For Immediate Release March 29, 2012
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Presidential Proclamation -- 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
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Ranking Member Press Release
Boxer, Burr, Sanchez, Bilirakis Join Senate And House Colleagues In Proposing National
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
National Day of Recognition Would Honor Brave Service of Vietnam Veterans
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), co-chairs of the
Senate Military Family Caucus, along with Representatives Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R
-FL) of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today joined with Senate and House colleagues of both
parties to send a letter to President Obama requesting that he designate March 29 as “National Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” This proclamation would honor Vietnam veterans each year on the date
the last American combat forces withdrew from Vietnam, according to the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
Senator Boxer said, “Each and every American service member who sacrifices for our country
deserves to be welcomed home by a grateful nation. Establishing a national day of recognition for
veterans of the Vietnam War will honor their service and show the deep gratitude our nation feels
for these brave men and women.”
Senator Burr said, “American servicemembers in Vietnam fought valiantly to protect a democratic
way of life for all of those who seek it. While we cannot ever entirely right the wrong done to these
men and women when they returned home to a country in turmoil, we must make every effort to
demonstrate our support and gratitude towards those who sacrificed so much on our behalf.”
Congresswoman Sanchez said, “We owe it to the brave men and women who honorably served our
country to honor them for their sacrifice. Unfortunately, many Vietnam veterans came home to
harsh ridicule and criticism, instead of the warm embrace and the proper homecoming they
deserved. As someone who has introduced ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’ legislation
each Congress since I came to Washington, I hope that President Obama fixes this injustice and
gives these veterans long overdue recognition by establishing an annual ‘National Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day.’”
Congressman Bilirakis said, “These courageous Americans have defined the meaning of patriotism
and heroism. They embody the American spirit that has forged a better future for our nation’s
children and grandchildren. We must never forget the dedication and sacrifice these men and
women gave in order to preserve the freedom that we enjoy.”
In their letter, the Senators and Representatives point out that due to contentious public debate on U.S.
involvement in the Vietnam War, returning veterans were denied appropriate recognition for their
service. They wrote, “A Presidential proclamation would officially designate a ‘National Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans Day’ and ensure that all Americans remember and honor the service of these
brave men and women.”
In recent years, both the Senate and House of Representatives have unanimously passed resolutions
expressing support for the designation of a “National Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” A
Presidential proclamation declaring this a national day of observance would formalize this fitting tribute
to these brave and honorable men and women.
In addition to Boxer, Burr, Sanchez and Bilirakis, the letter is signed by Senators Max Baucus (D-MT),
Thad Cochran (R-MS), Kent Conrad (D-ND), James M. Inhofe (R-OK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ben
Nelson (D-NE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Udall
(D-CO), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Mark Begich (D-AK), Scott P. Brown (R-MA), Joe Manchin III (D-
WV), John Boozman (R-AR) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representatives Michael Grimm (R-
NY), Betty Sutton (D-OH), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), John Larson (D-CT), Yvette Clarke (D-NY),
Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Mark
Critz (D-PA), Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Robert Brady (D-PA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Tim Bishop (D-
NY), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Joe
Courtney (D-CT), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Joe Crowley (D-NY), John
Yarmuth (D-KY), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Stephen
Lynch (D-MA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Charlie Gonzalez (D-
TX), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Bill Owens (D-NY), Mike Thompson (D-CA),
Mike Quigley (D-IL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Mike
Michaud (D-ME).
The full text of the letter is below:
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Page 1 of 2Committee on Veterans Affairs: Ranking Member Press Releases
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May 26, 2011
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As Memorial Day approaches, we respectfully request that you designate March 29 as “National
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” to honor members of the United States Armed Forces who
served during the Vietnam War. We believe a designation at this time would be a fitting tribute to all
who served during the Vietnam War, including the more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives in
service to our country.
We appreciate your commitment to our veterans and your tireless work to ensure that our newest
veterans receive the recognition, benefits and care they deserve from a grateful nation. But we must also
remember the men and women who bravely and faithfully served during the Vietnam War. Upon their
return home, Vietnam veterans were caught in the crossfire of public debate about our country’s
involvement in the conflict. As a result, they were denied appropriate recognition and honor for their
service.
Over the past four years, Congress has worked to right this wrong and provide a proper homecoming for
our Vietnam veterans. Beginning in 2007, bipartisan resolutions have passed unanimously in the House
of Representatives and the Senate expressing support for the designation of a “National Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day.” A Presidential proclamation would officially designate a “National Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and ensure that all Americans remember and honor the service of these
brave men and women. We believe that March 29 would be an appropriate date for this observance
because it marks the date that the United States completed the withdrawal of all combat troops from
Vietnam.
Vietnam veterans and their families deserve our gratitude for their countless sacrifices. In the words of
President John F. Kennedy, “A nation reveals itself not only by the citizens it produces, but also by the
citizens it honors, the citizens it remembers.” Designating March 29 as an annual “National Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans Day” would be an important step toward recognizing our Vietnam veterans as
the heroes they are and giving them a long overdue welcome home.
Thank you for your attention to this important request. We look forward to your prompt reply.
###
U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs • 412 Russell Senate Bldg. • Washington D.C. 20510
Republican Staff: (202) 224-2074 • (202) 224-9126
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Vietnam Veterans of America
8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD
20910 •
Telephone (301) 585-4000 • Fax (301) 585-3180 •
www.vva.org
November 23, 2011
The Honorable Eric Cantor
Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
303 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4607
Dear Congressman Cantor:
On March 29, 1973, the last 2,500 American combat troops were withdrawn from the
former South Vietnam, thus ending our military involvement in a divisive, militarily
inconclusive war. More than 58,000 American men and women were lost to the longest
war in recent American history; more than 300,000 were wounded.
Despite the physical and the psychological scars that have affected our political and
military decision-making through the present day, there can be no doubt that our troops
and support personnel accorded themselves in the finest traditions of the American
military from any war in which Americans have taken up arms in defense of freedom
from oppression.
For far too long, however, Vietnam veterans were treated as pariahs at worst. At best, we
were ignored. We were slandered by the mass media. Negative stereotypes prevailed,
despite the fact that most of us returned home to productive and fulfilling lives. The
unfortunate image, as you know, started to change, slowly, gradually, perhaps initially
with the building of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial – The Wall – here in
Washington, with the “Welcome Home” parade and unveiling of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in New York City – and with scores of other memorials across the country.
Dozens of books – novels and histories and memoirs – and in-depth magazine pieces
were published, the sum total of which gave a very different portrait of the “grunt” as a
sympathetic figure, not the doped up baby killer of earlier lore. And Vietnam Veterans of
America, VVA, became the only congressionally chartered Vietnam veterans service
organization that advocated and agitated for issues of import to veterans and our families,
issues like the long-term effects of toxic exposures from herbicides like Agent Orange,
issues like what is now known as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Honorable Eric Cantor
Majority Leader
November 23, 2011
-2-
Over the past few years, several states, by annual act or resolution, have designated a day
usually at the end of March “Vietnam Veterans Day” to honor, however belatedly, their
veterans who served honorably and whose service was ignored for so many years. In the
past few years, too, Congress, led by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Rep. Linda
Sanchez (D-Calif), have sponsored resolutions designating one day at the end of March –
March 30th
, in the case of Rep. Sanchez – as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
While we disagree with the date – the correct date is, in fact, the 29th
– we do embrace the
purpose: to observe with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of
the contributions of the veterans who served honorably and well in Southeast Asia. The
young men and women who have fought in Southwest Asia acknowledge the debt owed
to those who served at an earlier time in Southeast Asia. In this time of fiscal austerity,
designating March 29th
“Vietnam Veterans Day” will cost not a dime.
This is not a Democratic issue, nor is it a Republican one. It is bipartisan; or, if you
prefer, non-partisan. Either way, we hope you will agree.
We thank you for what you do for America’s veterans.
John Rowan Charles Montgomery
National President President,
Council of State Council Presidents

Senator Richard Burr March 17, 2011
217 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3154
Fax: (202) 228-2981
c/o Elijah Abram
E-mail: Elijah_Abram@vetaff.senate.gov
Winston-Salem Office (800) 685-8916
Wilmington (888) 848-1833
WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY - A GOOD GESTURE BUT ON THE WRONG DAY - it should be March 29th,
please read below.
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FELLOW SENATORS ON THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND
ALSO WITH THE EQUIVALENT MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Dear Senator Burr:
Thank you for the initiative to recognize the sacrifice and service of Vietnam Veterans and their respective families but
the day that has been chosen, March 30th, has been ill advised. Also it should not be just for this year but it should be
legislated to establish March 29th as "Vietnam Veterans Day" to be a permanent day to remember and honor those who
served during the Vietnam Era, their families and those who supported them while they served and when they came
home.
For your information, my best friend from high school, Steve Mylant, was killed in Vietnam in 1967 and is my driving
force to make sure that his sacrifice is remembered and respected along with that of the other fellow soldiers who died
in Vietnam, as well as those who came back with the physical and emotional scars, and those who served, as well as the
families who lost a loved or dedicated a lifetime to help heal a wounded Vietnam Veteran. It is also the driving force to
make sure that no other generation of our nation's defenders or veterans are ever treated and abandoned like the
Vietnam Veterans were, especially by their fellow veterans.
There is no confusion or options as to the day and month being March 29th, to forever memorialize the sacrifice and
service of Vietnam Veterans, their families and those who supported them.
Would like to remind you Senator that nothing has been brought forth to historically justify changing this day of tribute
to March 30th.
On the contrary, March 30th is a day and month when our enemy numerous times did not respect our good will,
violated the Peace Treaty and continued to kill our men and women as well as our allies and should not be the day to
remember and honor the Vietnam Veterans sacrifice and service as well as that of their families. March 30, 1972 - NVA
Eastertide attack across the DMZ and on Quang Tri begins and March 30, 1975 - Da Nang falls as 100,000 South
Vietnamese soldiers surrender after being abandoned by their commanding officers. The tribute should not be
connected to March 30, 2010 - The United States and Vietnam signed an agreement today that may pave the way for
U.S. firms to help build nuclear plants there. Links to this information below.
The day with dignity and honor to establish this recognition of the Vietnam Veterans and their families sacrifice and
service is best identified with the official withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam ordered by President Nixon on
March 29th of 1973. It was also the day and month in 1974 that under the urging of Congress, President Nixon

recognized the sacrifice and contributions of those who served in Vietnam and their families and declared it as Vietnam
Veterans Day.
There are some that claim using March 29th is not acceptable because of the reported conviction of Lt. William Calley
on that day and month in 1971. On the contrary being that he was one of a very few convicted, it actually vindicates the
rest of the Vietnam Veterans and recognizes them for serving with honor and respect of life even though they were in
harm’s way and fighting an enemy that did not uphold the same values for the life of a fellow human being and were
vicious and merciless with any American or allied soldier they captured as documented by our Prisoners of War. It did
not stop Congress and President Nixon in 1974 from supporting and honoring the Vietnam Veterans and their families
while Calley’s conviction was still fresh in the citizens’ minds.
May God give you the strength to do what you know is right, rise to the occasion and make the extra effort to make
sure this, Vietnam Veterans and their families, new wound will not take another unjustified day to heal. You need to also
know that any delays will also create wounds in our new generation of Veterans and current defenders and their
respective families. These new veterans and defenders identify with the Vietnam Veteran and know that their respected
standing and support they have experienced, has been achieved by the vigilance and the great price paid by the Vietnam
Veterans (joined by the Veterans in the organizations who did not wait for an official endorsement of their actions by
their respective Veterans organizations) went to the citizens to gain support for this new generation of veterans and
troops.
Respectfully,
Ray Saikus, President
Vietnam Veteran 1968-69, U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade
Equal Honor For All
P.O. Box 32070
Cleveland, Ohio 44132-0070
Direct Tel. (216) 514-7001
Direct E-mail: workace@sbcglobal.net
Tel. (216) 456-2220
E-mail: info@equalhonor.org
www.equalhonor.org
DATES NOT TO TRY TO SHARE THE TRIBUTE WITH VIETNAM VETERANS
From: http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1969.html
March 30, 1972 - NVA Eastertide attack on Quang Tri begins. * NOTE - VIOLATION OF PEACE TREATY*
March 30, 1975 - Da Nang falls as 100,000 South Vietnamese soldiers surrender after being abandoned by their
commanding officers. * NOTE – ANOTHER VIOLATION OF PEACE TREATY*
From: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/world/world_govtpolitics/article/VIETGAT30_20100330-
061201/333898/#When:10:12:01Z
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 U.S., Vietnam sign nuclear energy agreement
http://atomwatch.blogspot.com/2010/03/us-vietnam-sign-nuclear-energy.html
ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: March 30, 2010 HANOI, Vietnam -- The United States and Vietnam signed an
agreement today that may pave the way for U.S. firms to help build nuclear plants in the Southeast Asian country as it
strives to meet booming energy demand. The new agreement addresses nuclear safety and nonproliferation concerns and
is a prerequisite to a deal that could allow companies like Westinghouse and General Electric to participate in Vietnam's
nuclear energy sector………

IV
112TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 184
Expressing support for designation of a ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans
Day’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 17, 2011
Ms. LINDA T. SA´NCHEZ of California (for herself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Ms.
BORDALLO, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr.
LOEBSACK, Ms. MOORE, Mr. PIERLUISI, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. COURTNEY,
and Ms. BALDWIN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of a ‘‘Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day’’.
Whereas the Vietnam War was fought in Vietnam from 1961
to 1975, and involved North Vietnam and the Viet Cong
in conflict with United States Armed Forces and South
Vietnam;
Whereas the United States became involved in Vietnam be-
cause policy-makers in the United States believed that if
South Vietnam fell to a Communist government then
Communism would spread throughout the rest of South-
east Asia;
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2
•HRES 184 IH
serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in
1961;
Whereas as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on Au-
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, (Public Law 88–408), on Au-
gust 7, 1964, which effectively handed over war-making
powers to President Johnson until such time as ‘‘peace
and security’’ had returned to Vietnam;
Whereas, in 1965, United States Armed Forces ground com-
Whereas, by the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United
States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969 a peak of approxi-
mately 543,000 troops was reached;
Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was
signed, which required the release of all United States
prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and the with-
drawal of all United States Armed Forces from South
Vietnam;
Whereas, on March 30, 1973, the United States Armed
Forces completed the withdrawal of combat troops from
Vietnam;
Whereas, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedi-
among the people of the United States;

3
•HRES 184 IH
the Vietnam War were caught upon their return home in
the crossfire of public debate about the involvement of
the United States in the Vietnam War;
Whereas the establishment of a ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam
Veterans Day’’ would be an appropriate way to honor
those members of the United States Armed Forces who
served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas March 30, 2011, would be an appropriate day to es-
tablish as ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’’:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—1
veterans of the Armed Forces who served in Viet-3
nam; and4
to observe ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’’6
with appropriate ceremonies and activities that pro-7
mote awareness of the contributions of veterans who8
served in Vietnam and the importance of helping9
Vietnam era veterans re-adjust to civilian life.10
Æ

III
112TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. RES. 55
Expressing support for designation of a ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans
Day’’.
FEBRUARY 16, 2011
Mr. BURR (for himself, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr.
ISAKSON, and Mr. JOHANNS) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
MARCH 7, 2011
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of a ‘‘Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day’’.
Whereas the Vietnam War was fought in the Republic of
South Vietnam from 1961 to 1975, and involved North
Vietnamese regular forces and Viet Cong guerrilla forces
in armed conflict with United States Armed Forces and
the Army of the Republic of Vietnam;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces became involved in
Vietnam because the United States Government wanted
to provide direct military support to the Government of
South Vietnam to defend itself against the growing Com-
munist threat from North Vietnam;
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2
SRES 55 ATS
serving in an advisory role to the Government of the Re-
public of South Vietnam in 1961;
Whereas, as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on Au-
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law 88–408), on Au-
gust 7, 1964, which provided the authority to the Presi-
dent of the United States to prosecute the war against
North Vietnam;
Whereas, in 1965, United States Armed Forces ground com-
Whereas, by the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United
States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969, a peak of ap-
proximately 543,000 troops was reached;
Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was
signed, which required the release of all United States
prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and the with-
drawal of all United States Armed Forces from South
Vietnam;
Whereas, on March 30, 1973, the United States Armed
Forces completed the withdrawal of combat units and
combat support units from South Vietnam;
Whereas, on April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese regular forces
captured Saigon, the capitol of South Vietnam, effectively
placing South Vietnam under Communist control;
Whereas, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedi-

3
SRES 55 ATS
among the people of the United States and a conflict that
caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the
United States public to acknowledge and honor the ef-
forts and services of such veterans;
the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for the
policy decisions made by 4 presidential administrations in
the United States;
Whereas the establishment of a ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam
Veterans Day’’ would be an appropriate way to honor
those members of the United States Armed Forces who
served in South Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia
during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas March 30, 2011, would be an appropriate day to es-
tablish as ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’’:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—1
veterans who served in the United States Armed3
(2) encourages States and local governments to5
also establish ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans6
Day’’; and7

4
SRES 55 ATS
to observe ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’’2
with appropriate ceremonies and activities that—3
(A) provide the appreciation Vietnam War4
veterans deserve, but did not receive upon re-5
turning home from the war;6
(B) demonstrate the resolve that never7
again shall the Nation disregard and denigrate8
a generation of veterans;9
(C) promote awareness of the faithful serv-10
ice and contributions of such veterans during11
their military service as well as to their commu-12
nities since returning home;13
(D) promote awareness of the importance14
the families of veterans to readjust to civilian16
life after military service; and17
(E) promote opportunities for such vet-18
erans to assist younger veterans returning from19
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in rehabilita-20
tion from wounds, both seen and unseen, and to21
support the reintegration of younger veterans22
into civilian life.23
Æ

Proclamation 5336 -- Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day,
1985
May 7, 1985
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
As President and Commander in Chief, I have been pleased to witness a new and abiding recognition of those
brave Americans who answered their country's call and served in the defense of freedom in the Republic of South
Vietnam. That recognition, figured in the Memorial the Federal government accepted last November as a
permanent sign of our determination to keep faith with those who served in that conflict, is both the result and
the cause of a new unity among our people. Ten years after American personnel left Vietnam, we honor and
remember the deeds of a group of veterans who served as selflessly and fought as courageously as any in our
history.
Together we have come through a decade of disillusionment and doubt and reached a new consensus born of
conviction -- that, however long the wisdom and merits of U.S. policy in the Vietnam era may be debated, no
one can withhold from those who wore our country's uniform in Southeast Asia the homage that is their due.
Their cause was our cause, and it is the cause that animates all of our experience as a Nation. Americans have
never believed that freedom was the sole prerogative of a few, a grant of governmental power, or a title of
wealth or nobility. We have always believed that freedom was the birthright of all peoples, and our Vietnam-era
veterans pledged their lives -- and almost 60,000 lost them -- in pursuit of that ideal, not for themselves, but for
a suffering people half a world away.
On this day, we recall these sacrifices and say again to our Vietnam veterans: Your cause is our cause. We have
not forgotten you. We will not forget you. To those who were killed in Vietnam we say: Your names are inscribed
not only on the walls of black granite on the Mall in our Nation's Capital, but in the hearts of your fellow
Americans. To those still listed as missing in action in Southeast Asia: We have raised the fullest possible
accounting of your fate to one of highest national priority. To those who returned and resumed their daily lives
in our Nation's cities, towns, and farms: We will continue to meet our commitment to compensation and health
care programs for the more than 300,000 service-disabled Vietnam veterans and to programs to aid in Vietnam
veterans' readjustment.
To all of our Vietnam-era veterans, we rededicate ourselves on this day to offer our continuing praise and thanks
for your courage and patriotism. We pledge that our Nation will never forget the men and women who gave so
much of themselves on behalf of the highest of human ideals.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 128, has designated May 7, 1985, as ``Vietnam Veterans Recognition
Day'' and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation commemorating this important
observance.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 1985,
as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. I urge all citizens, community leaders, interested organizations, and
government officials to observe this day with programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the
service and sacrifices of the more than 3 million brave men and women who served in Vietnam.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and eighty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and ninth.
Ronald Reagan
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:21 a.m., May 14, 1985]
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1985/50785a.htm

Proclamation 4270 - Vietnam Veterans Day
February 26, 1974
By the President of the United States Of America
A Proclamation
As America enters its second year of peace after a decade of conflict, it is highly appropriate
for us to acknowledge the debt we owe to those veterans who served in the Armed Forces
during the conflict in Southeast Asia. The untiring devotion that characterized our Armed
Forces during this trying conflict is a tribute to the national character.
There are over six and one-half million Vietnam-era veterans, of whom more than two and
one-half million served in Vietnam. Despite significant disruptions in their lives and other
personal sacrifices, they answered the call of their country and served with great distinction.
As a Nation, we have acknowledged our deep respect and admiration by setting aside March
29, 1974, as Vietnam Veterans Day to remember that the honorable peace America achieved
came through great sacrifice. Those who served, those who gave their lives, those who were
disabled, and those who are still missing in Southeast Asia--and whose full accounting we
shall continue to seek--deserve the profound gratitude of their countrymen. For this purpose,
the Congress has authorized and requested me to issue a proclamation designating March 29,
1974, as Vietnam Veterans Day.
Now, Therefore, I, Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States of America, urge the
people of this Nation to join in commemorating Friday, March 29, 1974, as Vietnam
Veterans Day with suitable observances.
I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of
the United States on all public buildings on that day; and I request officials of Federal, State,
and local Governments, and civic and patriotic organizations, to give their enthusiastic
support to appropriate ceremonies and observances throughout the Nation.
I urge all citizens of every age to participate in the events of this day as one means of
honoring those men and women who served their country faithfully and courageously during
the Vietnam conflict.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of February, in the
year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the one hundred ninety-eighth.
RICHARD NIXON
Citation: Richard Nixon: "Proclamation 4270 - Vietnam Veterans Day," February 26, 1974. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The
American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=909.

946 PUBLIC LAW 93-231-DEC. 29, 1973 [87 STAT.
December 29, 1973
[H. R. 1920]
James G. Fulton
Flood Protection
Project, Pa.
Designation.
79 Stat. 1074.
Public Law 93-231 ' : :
AN ACT
To designate the portion of the project for flood control protection on Chartiers
Creek that is within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as the "James G. Fulton
Flood Protection Project".
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of 'Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assernbled^ That the portion of
the project for flood protection on Chartiers Creek that is within
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, authorized by section 204 of the
Flood Control Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-298), shall be designated
as the "James G. Fulton Flood Protection Project". Any reference
to such project in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other
paper of the United States shall be held to be a reference to the "James
G. Fulton Flood Protection Project".
Approved December 29, 1973.
December 29, 1973
[H. J. Res. 865]
Vietnam Veter-
ans Day,
Designation au-
thorization.
Public Law 93-232
JOINT RESOLUTION
Authorizing the President to proclaim March 20, 1974, as "Vietnam Veterans
Day".
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is hereby
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating
March 29, 1974, as "Vietnam Veterans Day", and calling upon the
people of the Unit^ed States to observe such day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities. , . v. .
Approved December 29, 1973.

11/29/2015 Complete List of Returned Prisoners of War from Vietnam Era
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/09_POWs/pow_rvn_detail.html 1/27
Military Times NOW hosts the HomeOfHeroes Awards & Citations
Database
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Stories of American Heroes Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" Pueblo, Colorado
To Read The Citations Visit the Military Times Hall of Valor
Vietnam/Southeast Asia
Prisoners of War (Returned Alive)
Detail Listing
Compiled by the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office
[Go Here for a Simple Alphabetical List]
Last Name First Name Rank Service
Country
Of Loss
Date Loss Date Return
Months
Held
ABBOTT JOSEPH S JR O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Apr 30, 1967 Feb 18, 1973 71
ABBOTT
ROBERT
ARCHIE
O2 Air Force N. Vietnam Apr 30, 1967 Mar 04, 1973 71
ABBOTT
WILFRED
KESSE
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Sep 05, 1966 Mar 04, 1973 79
ACOSTA
HECTOR
MICHAEL
O2 Air Force N. Vietnam Dec 09, 1972 Mar 29, 1973 4
ADKINS CLODEON Civilian S. Vietnam Jan 31, 1968 Mar 05, 1973 62
AGNEW
ALFRED
HOWARD
O4 Navy N. Vietnam Dec 28, 1972 Mar 29, 1973 3
AGOSTO
SANTOS
JOSE E3 Marines S. Vietnam May 12, 1967 Jan 23, 1968 9
ALBERT
KEITH
ALEXANDER
E4 Army S. Vietnam May 21, 1970 Feb 12, 1973 33
ALCORN
WENDELL
REED
O2 Navy N. Vietnam Dec 22, 1965 Feb 12, 1973 87
ALEXANDER FERNANDO O4 Air Force N. Vietnam Dec 19, 1972 Mar 29, 1973 3
ALLWINE
DAVID
FRANKLIN
E5 Army S. Vietnam Mar 04, 1971 Mar 27, 1973 25
ALPERS
JOHN
HARDESTY
JR
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Oct 05, 1972 Mar 29, 1973 6
ALVAREZ EVERETT O2 Navy N. Vietnam Aug 05, 1964 Feb 12, 1973 104
ANDERSON
GARETH
LAVERNE
O2 Navy N. Vietnam May 19, 1967 Mar 04, 1973 71
ANDERSON
JOHN
THOMAS
E7 Army S. Vietnam Feb 05, 1968 Mar 05, 1973 62
ANDERSON
JOHN
WESLEY
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Dec 27, 1972 Feb 12, 1973 2
ANDREWS
ANTHONY
CHARLES
ANGUS
WILLIAM
KERR O3 Marines N. Vietnam Jun 11, 1972 Mar 28, 1973 10

11/29/2015 Complete List of Returned Prisoners of War from Vietnam Era
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/09_POWs/pow_rvn_detail.html 2/27
ANSHUS
RICHARD
CAMERON
O2 Army S. Vietnam Mar 08, 1971 Mar 27, 1973 25
ANSON ROBERT Civilian Cambodia Aug 03, 1970 Aug 23, 1970 1
ANTON
FRANCIS
GENE
W2 Army S. Vietnam Jan 05, 1968 Mar 16, 1973 63
ANZALDUA
JOSE JESUS
JR
E4 Marines S. Vietnam Jan 23, 1970 Mar 27, 1973 39
ARCHER
BRUCE
RAYMOND
O3 Marines S. Vietnam Mar 28, 1968 Mar 16, 1973 60
ARCURI
WILLIAM
YOUL
O2 Air Force N. Vietnam Dec 20, 1972 Feb 12, 1973 2
ASTORGA
JOSE
MANUEL
E4 Army S. Vietnam Apr 02, 1972 Mar 05, 1973 11
AUSTIN
WILLIAM
RENWICK
AYRES
TIMOTHY
ROBERT
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam May 03, 1972 Mar 28, 1973 11
BAGLEY BOBBY RAY O4 Air Force N. Vietnam Sep 16, 1967 Mar 14, 1973 67
BAILEY
JAMES
WILLIAM
O2 Navy N. Vietnam Jun 28, 1967 Feb 18, 1973 69
BAILEY
LAWRENCE
ROBERT
O4 Army Laos Mar 23, 1961 Aug 15, 1962 17
BAIRD BILL ALLEN E4 Army S. Vietnam May 06, 1968 Mar 05, 1973 59
BAKER
DAVID
EARLE
O3 Air Force Cambodia Jun 27, 1972 Feb 12, 1973 8
BAKER
ELMO
CLINNARD
O4 Air Force N. Vietnam Aug 23, 1967 Mar 14, 1973 68
BAKER
VETO
HUAPILI
E5 Army S. Vietnam Oct 06, 1972 Nov 06, 1975 38
BALDOCK
FREDERICK
CHARLES
O2 Navy N. Vietnam Mar 17, 1966 Feb 12, 1973 84
BALLARD ARTHUR T JR O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Sep 26, 1966 Mar 04, 1973 78
BALLENGER
ORVILLE
ROGER
E5 Army Laos Apr 22, 1961 Aug 15, 1962 16
BARBAY LAWRENCE O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Jul 20, 1966 Mar 04, 1973 81
BARNETT
ROBERT
WARREN
BARRETT
THOMAS
JOSEPH
O2 Air Force N. Vietnam Oct 05, 1965 Feb 12, 1973 90
BARROWS
HENRY
CHARLES
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Dec 19, 1972 Mar 29, 1973 3
BATES
RICHARD
LYMAN
BAUGH
WILLIAM
JOSEPH
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Jan 21, 1967 Mar 04, 1973 74
BEAN JAMES ELLIS O6 Air Force N. Vietnam Jan 03, 1968 Mar 14, 1973 63
BEAN
WILLIAM
RAYMOND JR
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam May 23, 1972 Mar 28, 1973 10
BEDINGER
HENRY
JAMES
O2 Navy Laos Nov 22, 1969 Mar 28, 1973 41
BEEKMAN
WILLIAM
DAVID
O3 Air Force N. Vietnam Jun 24, 1972 Mar 28, 1973 9
BEELER
CARROLL
ROBERT O3 Navy N. Vietnam May 24, 1972 Mar 28, 1973 10

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