[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3264]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2016

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's Vietnam War Commemoration 
gives us the opportunity for all Americans to recognize, honor, and 
thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and 
sacrifices during the Vietnam War from November 1, 1955 through May 15, 
1975.
  Over 9,000 organizations across America have joined with the 
Department of Defense as a Commemorative Partner to honor our Nation's 
Vietnam Veterans, including Benjamin Mills Chapter, NSDAR; the Illinois 
State Organization, NSDAR; and the National Society of the Daughters of 
the American Revolution.
  This year's commemoration includes nine million Americans, 
approximately 7.2 million of them living today, and makes no 
distinction as to who served in-country, in-theater, or was stationed 
elsewhere during those 20 years--all answered the call of duty.
  Veterans' Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDonald has designated March 
29, 2016, the last day that U.S. troops were on the ground in Vietnam, 
as a day to honor those who have ``borne the battle'', and to extend 
gratitude and appreciation to them and their families.
  Alan Gaffner, the Mayor of the City of Greenville, has also 
proclaimed March 29, 2016 as: WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY in 
Greenville, Illinois. I stand with Major Gaffner and my constituents in 
Greenville as we humbly thank our Vietnam Veterans for their service 
and sacrifice.




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