[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1085-E1086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING VIETNAM VETERANS ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF 
                            THE VIETNAM WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANIEL T. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2015

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the veterans of the Vietnam 
War on the 50th anniversary of the start of the conflict.
   U.S. ground combat operations began in South Vietnam in 1965, with 
the last troops being pulled out in May 1975. Over three and a half 
million Americans served in Vietnam during that period, and more than 
58,000 lost

[[Page E1086]]

their lives. It is my honor to recognize the veterans of Vietnam and 
their families for their patriotism and sacrifice.
   While this anniversary presents a clear opportunity to remember the 
sacrifices of our veterans, I want to make sure our nation does not 
forget their contributions in the generations to come. The immense 
perseverance and bravery of our soldiers both in the face of conflict 
and in the decades following exemplify the American commitment to 
service and democracy. We owe these veterans our profoundest gratitude.
   I would particularly like to recognize the contributions of Michigan 
veterans. Over 400,000 men and women of our state served in the Vietnam 
War, with 2,654 paying the ultimate sacrifice.
   On July 18th, we honor our state's veterans at the Great Lakes 
National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. It is my honor to represent many 
of these men and women, and my duty to respectfully preserve their 
memories with the same dedication with which these veterans defended 
our freedoms.
   Mr. Speaker, I applaud the veterans of Vietnam and extend my deepest 
appreciation to them for their years of service to our great country.

                          ____________________