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8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature expresses strong support for all military
10 personnel who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 ▸ expresses strong support for all military personnel who served and sacrificed in the
14 Vietnam War, no matter the political affiliation and disagreements over the Vietnam
15 War, and calls on all Americans to show that support to all those who wear the
16 uniform;
17 ▸ offers a heartfelt, belated welcome home and expression of gratitude to all Vietnam
18 War military personnel; and
19 ▸ urges communities across the state of Utah to consider appropriate expressions of
20 support and recognition for Vietnam veterans living in their midst.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
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24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, we are fortunate to live in a time when military personnel returning from
26 the battlefield are greeted with heartfelt respect and gratitude;
27 WHEREAS, in the 1960s and 1970s, many Vietnam War veterans returning from
28 service received a very different reception;
29 WHEREAS, members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and
30 faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for their
31 government's policy decisions;
32 WHEREAS, the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue and a conflict that
33 caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the American public to acknowledge and
34 honor their efforts and services;
35 WHEREAS, like any large-scale conflict, the Vietnam War was filled with pain, horror,
36 and brutality;
37 WHEREAS, the Vietnam War, like all other wars, cut short many lives filled with great
38 promise;
39 WHEREAS, unfortunately, expressions of bitterness, anger, and hatred regarding the
40 United States' involvement in the war were aimed not only at those whose decisions placed the
41 United States in the conflict, but also were leveled at those who heeded the call to serve their
42 country in the armed forces;
43 WHEREAS, those who fought in the Vietnam War have always felt a debt to those who
44 never came home, who served and left this earth too soon;
45 WHEREAS, it is a national shame and disgrace that Americans did not welcome home
46 our troops from Vietnam with open arms and yellow ribbons, but instead with harsh criticism
47 and denigration;
48 WHEREAS, thanks to the example of Vietnam veterans who warmly welcome home
49 troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans have only in recent years learned how to properly
50 show appreciation for the warriors who serve this country with valor, separate from the debate
51 over the issue of war itself;
52 WHEREAS, Vietnam War memorials in communities throughout the state have done
53 much to remind citizens of the need to support veterans, both then and now, who are battered
54 and in need of help from those in whose place they fought;
55 WHEREAS, Remember My Service Productions is the project coordinator for an
56 unprecedented gift to recognize all 7.4 million Vietnam veterans during the peak 50th
57 commemorative years of 2015-17;
58 WHEREAS, a commemorative gift presented to each Vietnam veteran in every state
59 will be produced on behalf of a non-profit coalition, including the Association of the United
60 States Army and the Naval Historical Foundation;
61 WHEREAS, the gift includes a hardbound, 160-page book, "A Time to Honor: Stories
62 of Service and Sacrifice"; a feature documentary, "To Honor and Remember"; an interactive
63 eBook; and digital archives of all Vietnam-era Division magazines; and
64 WHEREAS, the state of Utah sent almost 28,000 young men to Vietnam - putting our
65 state fifth highest per capita - and an estimated 47,000 Vietnam veterans are Utah residents
66 today:
67 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
68 stands united in its strong support of all military personnel who served and sacrificed in the
69 Vietnam War, no matter the political affiliation and disagreements over the Vietnam War, and
70 calls on all Americans to show that support to all those who wear the uniform.
71 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah welcomes you,
72 our Vietnam War veterans, home - 50 years too late, but with heartfelt gratitude for your
73 service.
74 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the state of Utah urges communities
75 across the state to consider appropriate expressions of support and recognition for Vietnam
76 veterans living in their midst.
77 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United
78 States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Utah Department of
79 Veterans' and Military Affairs, the Utah Association of Counties, the Utah League of Cities and
80 Towns, and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-26-15 6:39 PM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel