Establishing a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

Floor Speech

ESTABLISHING A WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY -- (House of Representatives - June 25, 2007)

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Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 189, a resolution that will honor the veterans of the Vietnam War in eastern Connecticut and across our country by calling for the establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.''

As we know all too well, the Vietnam War was a painful and turbulent period in our Nation's history. Our military involvement there from 1965 to 1973 came at a time of great upheaval and change that divided our Nation. By the end of the war, more than 58,000 members of the Armed Forces had given the ultimate sacrifice. Much has rightfully been done to honor these lost heroes in the 30 years since the end of the war, including a breathtaking memorial not far away from this Capitol on our National Mall.

However, thousands of our troops came home after serving our country in Vietnam only to be barraged by anti-war and anti-military sentiments rising from the deep and conflicting passions over our involvement in the conflict. As a result, thousands of young men who served our Nation were denied the welcome home they deserved--a painful memory that I hear about even today when I speak with Vietnam veterans.

Today, 30 years after they returned home, those dark days of war still haunt the veterans of Vietnam. Yet, I have been amazed by the strength and dignity of the Vietnam veterans community in eastern Connecticut. Since the end of the war, these proud men have been unmatched in taking care of their own and supporting one another. This past April, over 100 eastern Connecticut Vietnam veterans gathered once again in Norwich, CT for the 7th Annual Vietnam Veterans Day Commemorative Ceremony. I was proud to join them for the ceremony and to honor their service and sacrifice.

Regardless of what one thinks about our involvement in a military conflict, there is no doubt that any American who wears our Nation's uniform deserves a hero's welcome when they return home. That is why I am proud to support the resolution before us today, which expresses the sense of the House that there should be a day set aside every year on March 30 to honor the service of our Vietnam veterans by establishing a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.'' I sincerely hope that this simple resolution will provide our Vietnam veterans with the recognition they have so long deserved.

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