Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

WHEREAS, forty one years ago, on March 29, 1973, the last 2,500 United States troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam, thus ending military involvement in what is now the longest war in our country’s history; and

WHEREAS, it is important to honor the men and women who survived and the 58,260 brave souls who fought and died; and

WHEREAS, since their return, these veterans have contributed tremendously to their cities, communities, counties, states and nation, in an effort to advance the American dreams, ideas, freedoms and aims for which they fought; and

WHEREAS, we as citizens of the state of Alabama must never forget the pain and suffering that lingers today for the men and women who fought with honor and distinction, in the name of freedom and democracy for all; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the state of Alabama should pay tribute to and “WELCOME HOME” our sons and daughters who contributed to our security and the security of the United States through honorable military service in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, let us honor the 1,207 men and women listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall that are from the great state of Alabama, and thank them for their unselfish devotion to duty:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2014, as

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

in the state of Alabama.