Hoosier lawmakers work to create ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’
March 31st, 2009
STATEHOUSE (March 31, 2009) – Working to celebrate and support Indiana’s veterans, State Sens. Phil Boots (R-Crawfordsville), Mike Delph (R- Carmel), Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake) and Allen Paul (R-Richmond) yesterday called on fellow lawmakers to establish March 30 as an annual “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
“Indiana could soon join the nearly 25 other states supporting the U.S. Congress and Senate resolution declaring March 30 of every year ‘National Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,’” Boots said.
Boots served in the First Cavalry Division of U.S. Army in the Vietnam War.
According to Delph, who serves in the Army Reserves, March 30 could be designated as a day for Hoosiers to celebrate and recognize members of the U.S. armed forces for their service.
“We need to work to ensure that Vietnam veterans and other GIs – past, present and future – know the gratitude of their nation,” Delph said.
Landske, a Colonel in the National Guard Reserve, said the time of the Vietnam War was a divisive era among Americans and some brave members of the armed forces were caught in the crossfire of emotional public debate.
“Establishing a special day to say ‘thank you’ to those American soldiers who were not appropriately greeted as heroes when they returned home could help heal some wounds still suffered by many,” Landske said.
Paul, himself a Vietnam veteran, said in addition to honoring Indiana’s veterans, March 30 could be used to promote the importance of helping members of the military re-adjust to civilian life.
“More than 58,000 Americans lost their lives in Vietnam and nearly 300,000 soldiers had to learn how to live with injuries they received while serving our country,” Paul said. “We need to teach younger generations the importance of respect, honor, gratitude and service.”
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