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National Day of Recognition for Veterans of the Vietnam Era
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National Day of Recognition for Veterans of the Vietnam Era
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Correspondence, White House Office of: Records,
1981-1989
Folder Title: National Day of Recognition for
Veterans of the Vietnam Era
Box: 70
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digitized-textual-material
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Inventories, visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/white-house-inventories
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/research
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National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Last Updated: 03/06/2023
THE OF THE UNITED
10
National Day of Recognition for Veterans
of the Vietnam Era
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The decade which has come to be known as the Vietnam era was a time of
trial for our Nation. Nearly every citizen was touched in some way by the war
in Southeast Asia.
As in all wars, the brunt of the conflict was borne by the soldiers, sailors,
airmen, and marines who served in our Armed Forces during that time,
particularly the millions who saw duty in Vietnam. Beyond the 57,000 who
died during the Vietnam war, we have among us millions of veterans who
have yet to receive the full measure of thanks for having accepted the call to
arms when such service was not popular with all Americans. More than
300,000 of these were wounded in Vietnam, many suffering permanent disabil-
ities.
The cold statistics are empty, however, unless we keep in mind the individual
and personal drama which accompanies each Vietnam-era veteran and casu-
alty. Much has been said about the sacrifice made by those who served, but
full recognition of the Nation's debt of gratitude to them is long overdue.
Our first national commemoration of the Vietnam-era veteran was in 1974,
when Vietnam Veterans Day was proclaimed pursuant to a joint resolution of
the Congress. I believe it is appropriate again to recognize and commemorate
those men and women who did their duty in a time of crisis. No one should
doubt the nobility of the effort they made.
By their demonstrations of loyalty and courage, Vietnam veterans have
earned our esteem. A recent survey revealed that the American public over-
whelmingly admires the Vietnam-era veteran. Certainly, those veterans who
suffer from physical and psychic aftereffects can look to their fellow citizens
for understanding and help.
In these times of economic hardship and budget restriction every citizen
should be aware that showing our gratitude to the Vietnam veteran will take
more than leaving it up to the Federal Government to provide money and
programs. Each of us must do his or her part in reaching out in a personal way
to these brave men and women. This recognition will mean much to the
Vietnam veterans who never received the thanks they deserved when they
originally returned home from war.
In honor of those who deserve the profound gratitude of their countrymen, the
Congress, by joint resolution, has requested the President to issue a proclama-
tion designating Sunday, April 26, 1981, as a National Day of Recognition for
Veterans of the Vietnam Era.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of
America, call upon all Americans, and upon patriotic and civic organizations,
to observe Sunday, April 26, 1981, as a National Day of Recognition for
Veterans of the Vietnam EΓa. I urge my fellow citizens to observe this day
with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities dedicated to those
issues of concern to Vietnam veterans.
I call upon officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States
on all Government buildings and grounds on that day in testimony of our
respect for the contributions of Vietnam veterans.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of April,
in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-one, and of the Independ-
ence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifth.
Ronald Reagan