Patriots and Friends,
March 30 is a very special day for a generation of veterans who had served in their Nation's Armed Forces with honor, valor and a patriotic commitment to defend the values and freedoms that make this country so unique. They were the veterans of the Vietnam War who, rather than receiving a hero's welcome home, became the scapegoats of a divisive crossfire of negative public sentiment and disapproval of the U.S. Government's involvement in an unpopular war. In many cases their sacrifice went unappreciated, dismissed or was even insulted. Over the almost 15-year course of the War, more than 3,400,000 Americans served in support of U.S military operations in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, while more than 58,000 members of the Armed Forces gave their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded.
It was not until 2011 that Vietnam Veterans would finally be granted the recognition and reward they had earned. That year, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating March 30th of each year as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day," almost 38 years to the day of the final withdrawal of U.S. combat and combat-support troops from Vietnam, Though long overdue, all Americans should pause today to recognize and thank Vietnam veterans -- America praises their sense of duty, unselfish devotion and courageous willingness to put their country first.
America owes these patriotic veterans a great debt. It's because of veterans of all generations that the flame of freedom burns brightly today throughout the world. Let our Nation resolve that no veteran will ever again return to an America unappreciative of one's service and sacrifice.
To all my fellow Vietnam veterans, on behalf of the entire Military Order of the Purple Heart, thank you for your service and sacrifice, and welcome home my brothers.
Yours in Patriotism,
Bob Puskar
National Commander
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