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