WHEREAS, throughout the history of our Great State and Nation, countless courageous individuals have bravely answered our Country’s call to patriotic duty; and
WHEREAS, the Vietnam War lasted for almost two decades, making it one of the longest military conflicts in United States history. The United States became involved in the Vietnam War with the arrival of American military personnel in South Vietnam in the 1950s and ended with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975; and
WHEREAS, as the war continued, the United States’ involvement increased to astounding numbers: over 2.7 million troops were deployed; nearly 60,000 killed in action; over 300,000 were wounded; and today, nearly 2,000 are still unaccounted for; and
WHEREAS, those that returned home were burdened with shrapnel and scars and haunted by invisible wounds of emotional trauma, of Agent Orange, and the memories of the unspeakable adversities they endured.
WHEREAS, our Nation is stronger because of the sacrifices our servicemen and women made, and we must honor them for all they have done for us; and
WHEREAS, today let us pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, those who served and those who awaited their return, who all sacrificed in defense of the values we hold dear. We must reaffirm our dedication to showing our veterans the respect and support they deserve.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2024 as:
Vietnam Veterans Day
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the extreme burden the Vietnam War placed on those who served and to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who are still with us today.
Dated: March 29, 2024
