[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 44 (Monday, March 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E341-E342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WELCOMING HOME OUR VIETNAM VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 21, 2016

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 
Americans who served in the Vietnam war. These heroes never received 
the proper ``welcome home'' they deserved, so I want to take a moment 
to recognize each of them and thank them for their service and 
sacrifice.
   Over three million Americans fought in Vietnam, in addition to 
countless others who served in various support roles. These individuals 
left the loving arms of their families and the comfort of their homes 
to fight for a cause greater than any one person. The fight was not an 
easy one and the conditions were especially daunting, but they chose to 
put their lives on the line in defense of freedom and so others may 
live.
   Sadly, some of these American heroes never made the return home. 
Over 55,000 patriots paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our 
great nation. These individuals are now enshrined in our nation's 
history on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in our nation's capital, and 
their legacy will never be forgotten.
   I would be remiss if I did not also mention the sacrifice of our 
military families who saw

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someone they loved go away to war. I'm talking about the newlywed wife 
whose husband departed just months after their marriage. I'm talking 
about the young toddler who barely knew their father before they 
deployed. I'm talking about the mom and dad who shed tears as their 
young child left to join the fight. I'm talking about each and every 
family member who had someone they loved fight in Vietnam. They 
sacrificed so much and deserve to be commended as well.
   Mr. Speaker, today we salute those who served our nation in Vietnam, 
and, on behalf of a grateful nation, we thank them for their patriotism 
and service. May we never forget their sacrifice, may God bless our 
veterans, and may God always bless the United States of America.

                          ____________________