slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a US holiday observed annually on March 29th. It recognizes Veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War. On March 28, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. The Act includes March 29th as a day on which the US f**g should especially be displayed.

The original P**********l Proclamation...

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 29, 2012

P**********l 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

Radiance3

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Thank you Slat for this memory of Vietnam. One of the longest wars our patriots have served and endured. Thank you for your service.

My husband was on his senior year in college when called to duty in this Vietnam war in 1971. The only child of his parents, he obeyed and served.

He was trained at Fort Sum Houston, TX, for about 6 months. He was assigned to lead a team of Combat Medics relevant to his college degree. He came home early in 1975. partially disabled, but recovered after series of medical therapy and treatment. Then finished his college course and returned to work.

One of the worst wars was Vietnam. US should have never engaged on that war. On his way home along with comrades, loaded with grief, my husband and team were returned thru San Francisco. Several men met them, yield, and spotted on them. That added pain, grief, and disappointments, shown on his series of evening nightmares. Experienced the losses of his team, and others he tried to save, one he could not, died on his arms. He was his best friend. His assistant who carried those medical equipment as they served the battlefield. He had frequent nightmares, and even sobbing. I had to wake him up at the middle of the night.

Early in 2001, doctor diagnosed him with cancer, the doctor stated that it was related to the chemical he had gotten in war, the agent orange that were sprayed to them in Vietnam. Tried to linger further, but few years later, he said, goodbye. My best friend and loved one was gone forever. Thousands more experienced the same or even worst.

So, why did we fight for Vietnam? We lost 58,220 in the battlefield of Vietnam. God bless all those who served!

Rose42

Good job Obama and Trump.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Dear Radiance, thank you for that heartfelt reply. I recall the sign over the doors of the VA: "Not all scars are visible". The full context of that quote is worth mentioning: "Not all scars are visible. Regardless, they are usually painful when you first get them. But with time they might fade or they can remain and become a beautiful reminder that you survived.”

In spite of political/ideological differences, we share the common bond of our Vietnam experiences. I served in 'Nam during 1968-69 and deal with the effects of Agent Orange on a daily basis - they only continue to get worse. I also have memories similar to those of your husband. Losing brothers-in-arms on the field of battle is a painfully unforgettable one, often worse than the pain of ones own wounds. For those and many other reasons, upon earlier readings of your husband's time of service, I quickly considered him to be another brother-in-arms. Still do.

May he continue to rest in peace until The Lord brings you two together again.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Indeed.

Radiance3

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Thank you Slat. You are still one of my hero's despites of our differences on our political realms. God bless!

currahee506

American combat soldiers won the war during the Tet Offensive in 1968. The VC and NVA "shot their wad," failing miserably. The "Kronkite propaganda machine" reported otherwise." At that time, the American people had not yet learned that you could not trust "Uncle Walter." Combat soldiers would come back to their base camps for a couple of days of rest, go to the bar for a beer and see journalist writing their scripts at the bar. For accuracy on the Viet Nam War, purchase from Amazon, "Don't Cry For Me Saigon," written by my squad leader, Steve Cook, a buck sergeant in "B Company, 3/506 101st Airborne.

Wonttakeitanymore

God bless those who served anytime! My daddy was Korea! Ovomit h**ed military and k**led them at bengazi! Career anti American politician!

Wonttakeitanymore

Amen!

Radiance3

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Sad, Biden provided the National Defense the lowest budget of 18% for 2023, compared to the Social programs from 50% to the highest 102%.

Now that we are under the threats of China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia that allied together against the US and Israel.

This Russia alliance happened due to the support of Biden to Ukraine. Biden said, he won't stop until the war is won by Ukraine. It appears it is not going to happen, and Biden is bankrupting our country. and put US into risks of a WW3.