WHEREAS, 2014 is the 50th year anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Incidents that marked the beginning of the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, American veterans of the Vietnam War served honorably throughout the war, fighting courageously and often making the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, The United States holds as its highest ideals freedom, democracy and self-determination; during the Vietnam War, about 8,744,000 American armed forces fought bravely to preserve and defend these ideals; and
WHEREAS, Armed forces from the United States were sent to the Vietnam War to support the forces of the Republic of South Vietnam and the cause of freedom from communist forces; and
WHEREAS, 47,434 American soldiers were killed in battle, 10,786 were killed in noncombat deaths, more than 150,000 were wounded and more than 2,000 soldiers are missing in action; and
WHEREAS, American armed forces fought bravely and were known for their dedication, tenacity and effectiveness on the battlefield; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated at Penn's Landing, is a monument to the 646 Philadelphians lost in the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is an organization of Vietnam War veterans that demonstrated extraordinary fundraising efforts to launch the Memorial in 1987 and that provides general leadership and advocacy in the Philadelphia area; and
WHEREAS, In response to damage caused by vandalism and other sources of deterioration, The Fund commenced the Duty to Remember Campaign in order to renovate the Memorial with new paving material, refurbishment of names and enhanced lighting among other updates; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby celebrates, honors, and thanks our Vietnam War veterans on Veterans Day 2014.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund symbolically on behalf of all veterans and evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End