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
Welcome news. I'll contact my family and friends to be sure they know. G-d Bless our Nam veterans!
Damn...a day late (2 days now) and a few dollars short...again...Welcome back bros.
In memory of my Grandfather. He served in Korea and was Vietnam exempt. He volunteered anyway and received the PH for his troubles.
He died in 2006, the day I got to Kuwait on my way to my third Iraq pump.
To any of my Nam brothers and sisters out there in FReeper-land, Welcome Home!
I wonder what this day translates to in Southeast Asia.
Isn’t Hussein glorifying an American military LOSS?
Why doesn’t Veteran’s Day suffice?
Thanks for the post. This is the first I’ve heard abut it as well.
Alpha Echo. Nothing heard. Out.
Speaking only for myself - No Clue
CPT ARMOR
MACV 1971
Amen to that!
Obama must not have read this because it praises AMERICAN servicemen, not the NVA or VC.
Obama must not have read this because it praises AMERICAN servicemen, not the NVA or VC.
Perfect! Nearly as overwhelming as the parade we got.
The only folks who “recognized” me for the first 40 years were my relatives.
That changed after the first Iraq War. Now let’s see the Panderer in Chief announce something for the Afghan/Iraq Vets.
RVN
1969-1970
“Now; therefore, I, the undersigned, do hereby proclaim and aver that Barack Obama is an obfuscating obscurantist who osculates Muslim/Marxist posteriors and who is also a pandering pusillanimous prevaricating political prick.
/s/ miele man
VietNam Veteran
PS: Can you believe this peckerhead releases this on the day the “celebrations” are to occur? He can take his “proclamation” and place it where only his proctologist can palpate it”
I’m with you; this peckerhead has done this last minute proclamation purely as a political calculation (probably engineered by that douche bag axelrod), and has thereby cheapened the entire idea! FUBO!
JC
Uh...you’re a little late Bambi...
Ann beat you to it!!!
__________________________________
“Ann-Margret’s Spontaneous Tribute to Vietnam Vets at a Book SigningTruth!”
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/a/annmargret.htm
What a lady.:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiCOoWaZcP0&feature=relmfu
No doubt, you were the wind beneath your hubby’s wings...
P.S. Ping to #55.
Thank you for your service.
I have a good story about a family member who is a Vietnam Veteran (USMC).
He was talking to an active duty Marine (a baby Brother ;)) and thanking him for his service and pouring into him some praise. (Basically, you all rock!)
The Marine replied, "Oh no! YOU were THE guys!!!
How did you guys fight that war with such primitive weapons!!!"
LOL! I love that story.
Hey vets, go back if you can. The people in the South still love us. You won’t be sorry.
ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That made my morning!
BTTT!
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