2
3
4
5
6
7 Cosponsors:
8 J. Stuart Adams
9 Allen M. Christensen
10 Jim Dabakis
11 Gene Davis
12 Margaret Dayton
13 Luz Escamilla
14 Wayne A. Harper
15 Deidre M. Henderson
16 Lyle W. Hillyard
David P. Hinkins
Jani Iwamoto
Alvin B. Jackson
Scott K. Jenkins
Peter C. Knudson
Mark B. Madsen
Karen Mayne
Ann Millner
Wayne L. Niederhauser
Ralph Okerlund
Aaron Osmond
Brian E. Shiozawa
Howard A. Stephenson
Jerry W. Stevenson
Daniel W. Thatcher
Stephen H. Urquhart
Kevin T. Van Tassell
Evan J. Vickers
Todd Weiler
17
18 LONG TITLE
19 General Description:
20 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses strong support
21 for all military personnel who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War.
22 Highlighted Provisions:
23 This resolution:
24 ▸ expresses strong support for all military personnel who served and sacrificed in the
25 Vietnam War, no matter the political affiliation and disagreements over the Vietnam
26 War, and calls on all Americans to show that support to all those who wear the
27 uniform;
28 ▸ offers a heartfelt, belated welcome home and expression of gratitude to all Vietnam
29 War military personnel; and
30 ▸ urges communities across the state of Utah to consider appropriate expressions of
31 support and recognition for Vietnam veterans living in their midst.
32 Special Clauses:
33 None
34
35 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
36 WHEREAS, we are fortunate to live in a time when military personnel returning from
37 the battlefield are greeted with heartfelt respect and gratitude;
38 WHEREAS, in the 1960s and 1970s, many Vietnam War veterans returning from
39 service received a very different reception;
40 WHEREAS, members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and
41 faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for their
42 government's policy decisions;
43 WHEREAS, the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue and a conflict that
44 caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the American public to acknowledge and
45 honor their efforts and services;
46 WHEREAS, like any large-scale conflict, the Vietnam War was filled with pain, horror,
47 and brutality;
48 WHEREAS, the Vietnam War, like all other wars, cut short many lives filled with great
49 promise;
50 WHEREAS, unfortunately, expressions of bitterness, anger, and hatred regarding the
51 United States' involvement in the war were aimed not only at those whose decisions placed the
52 United States in the conflict, but also at those who heeded the call to serve their country in the
53 armed forces;
54 WHEREAS, those who fought in the Vietnam War have always felt a debt to those who
55 never came home, who served and left this earth too soon;
56 WHEREAS, it is a national shame and disgrace that Americans did not welcome home
57 our troops from Vietnam with open arms and yellow ribbons, but instead with harsh criticism
58 and denigration;
59 WHEREAS, thanks to the example of Vietnam veterans who warmly welcome home
60 troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans have only in recent years learned how to properly
61 show appreciation for the warriors who serve this country with valor, regardless of the debate
62 over the issue of war itself;
63 WHEREAS, Vietnam War memorials in communities throughout the state have done
64 much to remind citizens of the need to support veterans, both then and now, who are battered
65 and in need of help from those in whose place they fought;
66 WHEREAS, Remember My Service Productions is the project coordinator for an
67 unprecedented gift to recognize all 7.4 million Vietnam veterans during the peak 50th
68 commemorative years of 2015-17;
69 WHEREAS, a commemorative gift presented to each Vietnam veteran in every state
70 will be produced on behalf of a non-profit coalition, including the Association of the United
71 States Army and the Naval Historical Foundation;
72 WHEREAS, the gift includes a hardbound, 160-page book, "A Time to Honor: Stories
73 of Service and Sacrifice"; a feature documentary, "To Honor and Remember"; an interactive
74 eBook; and digital archives of all Vietnam-era Division magazines; and
75 WHEREAS, the state of Utah sent almost 28,000 young men to Vietnam - putting our
76 state fifth highest per capita - and an estimated 47,000 Vietnam veterans are Utah residents
77 today:
78 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
79 Governor concurring therein, stands united in its strong support of all military personnel who
80 served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War, no matter the political affiliation and disagreements
81 over the Vietnam War, and calls on all Americans to show that support to all those who wear
82 the uniform.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor welcome you,
84 our Vietnam War veterans, home - 50 years too late, but with heartfelt gratitude for your
85 service.
86 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge
87 communities across the state to consider appropriate expressions of support and recognition for
88 Vietnam veterans living in their midst.
89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United
90 States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Utah Department of
91 Veterans' and Military Affairs, the Utah Association of Counties, the Utah League of Cities and
92 Towns, the Utah Vietnam Veterans of America, and the members of Utah's congressional
93 delegation.