Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly today announced he will host an event on March 29, 2018 in Indiana to recognize Hoosier Vietnam Veterans. U.S. Senator John McCain [R-Ariz.], Vietnam War Veteran, POW, and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Donnelly to make the announcement.
WATCH: Donnelly and McCain announce event in Indiana celebrating National Vietnam Veterans Day 2018
Donnelly said, “Indiana is home to nearly 150,000 Vietnam War Veterans. On March 29, 2018, I’m hosting an event to recognize Vietnam Veterans from across our state and give them the welcome home with their families that they deserve and should have received when they returned home from serving our country.”
McCain said, “All of us are indebted to the generations of brave Americans who have sacrificed life and limb to preserve our freedom, which is why I’m grateful for Senator Donnelly’s bipartisan legislation with Senator Pat Toomey that officially designates March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.”
Bipartisan legislation authored by Donnelly and Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) permanently designating March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day was signed into law by President Trump in March of 2017. The inaugural National Vietnam Veterans Day was celebrated on March 29, 2017.
Further details on the 2018 National Vietnam Veterans Day event in Indiana will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
BACKGROUND:
- Permanently designates March 29th annually as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
- On March 29, 1973, the last combat troops were ordered out of Vietnam.
- While many troops remained behind before the fall of Saigon – March 29 holds great meaning for many Vietnam veterans.
- Includes March 29th as a day “the flag should be displayed.”
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was passed unanimously by both chambers of Congress.
Transcript of Donnelly and McCain’s video statement:
Donnelly: Hello, I’m Senator Joe Donnelly and I’m privileged to be here for a special announcement with my friend — an American hero and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee — Senator John McCain of Arizona.
McCain: Well, Thank you Joe. You know, one of the things people say is that if you want a friend in Washington go out and buy a dog. Well, Joe is not a dog but I can assure you that he and I have had the privilege of working together on the Armed Services Committee to provide our brave men and women in uniform with the resources, equipment, and support they need to complete their missions and keep our country safe. All of us are indebted to the generations of brave Americans who have sacrificed life and limb to preserve our freedom, which is why I’m grateful for Senator Donnelly’s bipartisan legislation with Senator Pat Toomey – which is now law – that officially designates March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Donnelly: Indiana is home to nearly 150,000 Vietnam War veterans. On March 29th, 2018, I’m hosting an event to recognize Vietnam Veterans from across our state and to give them the welcome home with their families that they deserve and should have received when they returned home from serving our country.
McCain: The greatest honor of my life was to serve in the company of heroes in Vietnam and to witness their incredible courage and conviction in the face of great danger. We honor all of those who have served and sacrificed to secure the blessings of freedom and prosperity we enjoy here at home. And there is no one I would rather join in this effort than my friend Joe Donnelly.
Donnelly: Thank you so much to Senator McCain, such an extraordinary friend, such an amazing American, and my hero. And many thanks to our Vietnam Veterans and to each and every veteran, servicemember, and military family for your sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering commitment to protect our nation.
Donnelly: To our Vietnam Vets: I look forward to joining you and your families for a special celebration in your honor on March 29th! Stay tuned for more details. God bless you, God bless Indiana…do you want to do this last line together?
Donnelly/McCain: And may God bless America.
McCain: And by the way, there is such a thing as friendship.
Donnelly: Amen.
