[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        RIDE OF THE BROTHERHOOD

 Mr. VITTER. Madam President, today I wish to honor a very 
special organization, Ride of the Brotherhood. Established earlier this 
year by Air Force veteran and Louisiana native Ed Lewis, Ride of the 
Brotherhood, seeks to raise funds for our Nation's veterans and 
children's charities. In March 2015, the organization will hold its 
first major event called ``The Return'' to honor the 50-year 
anniversary of those who bravely served in Southeast Asia during the 
Vietnam war.
  On March 8, 1965, American troops landed on China Beach and marched 
to Da Nang Air Force Base to secure the air base, freeing South 
Vietnamese troops fighting against the Viet Cong. Those 3,500 Marines 
were the first combat troops dispatched to support the Saigon 
government's efforts to defeat the Communist insurgency.
  To mark this occasion, 10 Vietnam veterans will travel on motorcycles 
from Louisiana to California, fly to Vietnam, and ride along the coast 
stopping at important locations to pay respects to those lost during 
the war. On March 8, 2015, the 50-year anniversary, the group intends 
to be at China Beach before traveling to Da Nang. Upon their return, 
they will ride cross-country from California to the Vietnam Memorial 
here in Washington, DC, before returning to New Orleans for a ``Welcome 
Home'' celebration.
  ``The Return'' will provide closure for those veterans making the 
trip, and for some, their only opportunity to see the great memorials 
dedicated to their service. Because the entire journey will be 
documented, family, friends, and many others will have an opportunity 
to witness the experiences of the men who fought in Vietnam, Laos, 
Cambodia, and Thailand. In addition, the trip will highlight the 
positive relations that now exist between the United States and the 
Vietnamese people.
  I am humbled to have the opportunity to express my appreciation to 
Mr. Ed Lewis for his service to our country and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring these great Americans and thanking them for their 
devotion to our Nation.

                          ____________________