[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6890-S6891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OBSERVING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam 
war, we reflect with reverence upon a generation that served with 
honor, distinction, and selflessness. We pay tribute to the 9 million 
men and women who wore our Nation's uniform during the Vietnam era, 
answered our Nation's call to service, and advanced the sacred ideals 
of liberty and self-determination.
  All gave some, and some gave all. Currently, the names of the more 
than 58,000 patriots who gave their all are forever etched in black 
granite on the Vietnam Memorial in our Nation's Capital. The names of 
the nearly 1,800 Americans who remain unaccounted for are forever 
etched in our hearts.
  Nearly 350 patriots from Maine are listed among the killed or 
missing. Among those names is U.S. Army SGT Donald Skidgel, a Medal of 
Honor recipient, born in my hometown of Caribou, ME, who served in 
Vietnam and who gave his life saving the lives of others. On September 
14 of this year, Navy pilot LT Neil Taylor was finally laid to rest in 
his hometown of Rangeley, ME, 50 years to the day after his aircraft 
was shot down on his 68th mission and he was reported missing. They 
were patriots in the best American tradition. We will never forget 
them.
  May the families of those who fell and of those unaccounted for find 
peace in knowing that the American people share their loss and grief. 
We will always be grateful for the valor and sacrifice of their loved 
ones. And we will never forget them.
  From the founding of our Nation to today, the freedom we hold sacred 
has been earned by our fellow citizens. Our Nation's history has been 
written by the men and women who serve, despite the sacrifices, with 
courage and devotion. The men and women of the Vietnam era carried on 
that tradition.

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They carry on another tradition that echoes throughout our history: 
After their military service was done, they returned home, quietly and 
modestly, and continued to serve their communities.
  The American people believe that supporting our troops doesn't stop 
once they leave the military. Just as no member of our Armed Forces 
would leave a comrade behind on the battlefield, we must not leave our 
veterans and their families behind on the battlefields of injury and 
disease. We must be strong advocates for veterans' health care and be 
concerned about the Vietnam veterans who were exposed to agent orange. 
We must remain committed to ensuring that those veterans and their 
families receive the care and support they have earned.
  The men and women who served our Nation a half century ago upheld the 
highest ideals of America and of the American Armed Forces. Our Vietnam 
veterans were then, and remain today, heroes who deserve our respect 
and our gratitude.
  Mr. KING. Mr. President, this month marks the 50th anniversary of the 
introduction of U.S. ground troops in the Vietnam war, and I would like 
to recognize our Vietnam era veterans who dedicated their strength and 
service to defend freedom and democracy across the globe. In honor of 
this anniversary, the Secretary of Defense coordinated various events 
to thank and honor all veterans of the Vietnam war. A well-deserved 
welcome home ceremony will be held in Presque Isle, ME, on September 
26, 2015, to recognize and commemorate the lives of those who fought so 
bravely.
  For nearly 20 years, the Vietnam war occupied the American collective 
conscience. American involvement initially focused on assisting French 
forces to counter the Vietminh communist revolution. However, in 1964 
the Gulf of Tonkin incident dramatically shifted American perspective, 
and on August 7, President Johnson drafted and Congress unanimously 
approved a resolution authorizing direct military intervention in 
Vietnam.
  Throughout the war, the United States deployed over 2.7 million 
servicemembers to Vietnam, and over 8 million Americans served in 
uniform during the Vietnam era. More than 58,200 Americans lost their 
lives and more than 150,000 were seriously wounded during the conflict. 
I would like to honor those brave Americans who sacrificed so much for 
their country. Their contributions to our Nation will never be 
forgotten.
  Maine played a crucial role in the war effort. With one of the 
highest percentages of veterans per capita in the nation, the Vietnam 
war's legacy still resonates in Maine today. Close to 48,000 people 
from Maine served in Vietnam, and nearly 350 Maine servicemembers were 
killed or went missing in action during the war. Our veterans' 
unwavering patriotism, courage, and resilience fully demonstrate the 
fortitude of American character and our Nation's commitment to 
democracy worldwide.
  On this 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war, I would like to join the 
Secretary of Defense in recognizing the brave Americans who served 
overseas, as well as those on the homefront whose unrelenting support 
was invaluable to those overseas. Our veterans have made countless 
personal sacrifices in protection of our freedoms, and I am proud to 
honor and thank them for their service to our great Nation.

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