WHEREAS, More than 2.7 million United States Armed Forces personnel served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1975. Approximately
80,000 members of the Armed Forces from the Greater Philadelphia Region served during the Vietnam War
; and
WHEREAS, Over 58,000 members of the Armed Forces lost their lives in that conflict, and more than 304,000 were wounded. The casualties included 648 service members from Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, United States combat and combat support forces withdrew from Vietnam on March 29, 1973; and
WHEREAS, Vietnam Veterans were not accorded the same welcome home as those who served in other wars. Rather, those who had answered the call to serve the United States in Vietnam were often treated with animosity by their fellow countrymen upon arriving home; and
WHEREAS, Though the Vietnam War was unpopular at the time and continues to have a complex and divisive history today, the brave American citizens who left their homes to serve in Vietnam should be fully supported and honored by a grateful nation
; and
WHEREAS, On March 28, 2017 President Trump signed S.305, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, into law. This bipartisan legislation was co-sponsored by Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and it was passed unanimously by both chambers of Congress. The law encourages the display of the American Flag in the United States every March 29th to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes March 29, 2018 as Vietnam Veterans Day in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to
The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
as evidence of the gratitude of this legislative body.
End