Title: Vietnam Veterans

Summary: Honors service & sacrifice of Florida's Vietnam veterans.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, because of the intense public opposition to the war that existed at the tim e, members of the United States Armed Services returned home to an unprecedented lack of formal positive recognition of their honorable service and the tremendous sacrifices they had made on behalf of their country, and WHEREAS, the lack of formal "Welcom eHome" parades and other traditional celebrations that were common for United States soldiers returning from previous military engagements, coupled with verbal and sometimes physical abuse, resulted in great disillusionment, undeserved indignity, and ofte ngreat suffering and anguish among returning Vietnam veterans, and WHEREAS, as of July 2011, the Department of Veterans' Affairs estimated that there were approximately 454,000 Vietnam era veterans living in the State of Florida, and WHEREAS, as March 0, 2013, marks the official date of the 40th anniversary of the end of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, this state is presented with a unique and historic opportunity to hold appropriate observances and long overdue recognition ceremonies that will honor Florida's aging WHEREAS, the importance of the commemoration of this historic anniversary and the opportunity to attempt to rectify past injustices and ingratitude cannot be stressed strongly enough, and WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate that the House of Representatives encourage and support efforts within the state to mark this historic anniversary and to attempt to redress the lack of appropriate recognition and undeserved ingratitude that so many of these brave servicemen and servicewomen received upon returning home, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida: That in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the end of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War on March 30, 2013, Florida's state ag encies and officials, counties, municipalities, and community organizations are called upon and encouraged to publicly acknowledge and demonstrate the state's appreciation for the honorable service and sacrifice of its Vietnam veterans through such activit ies as issuing appropriate resolutions and holding or providing support for special recognitions throughout the year.