Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Isakson Cosponsors 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day' Resolution
Legislation honors service members who fought in Vietnam

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who is a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs today cosponsored a resolution to honor veterans who served in Vietnam by designating March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." March 30 marks the anniversary of the day that combat and combat support units withdrew completely from South Vietnam.

Richard Burr, R-N.C., the ranking Republican on the Senate VA Committee, introduced the legislation and additional cosponsors include Senators John Boozman, R-Ark., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and James Inhofe, R-Okla.

"The brave Americans who served our country in Vietnam deserve recognition and gratitude for their sacrifices," said Isakson. "I honor our veterans every day, and I am pleased to cosponsor legislation that designates a special day to remember Vietnam veterans. I hope that citizens across the country will join me in commemorating 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.'"

The U.S. Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961, and in 1965, ground combat troops were sent into Vietnam. After many years of combat, all U.S. troops were withdrawn from Vietnam on March 30, 1973, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. More than 58,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces lost their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded in Vietnam.