Title
Proclamation Designating March 29, 2025 as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day in Los Alamos County" (Accepted by Linda Carol Alt, Chapter Regent, Valle Grande Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution)
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WHEREAS, the Vietnam War was officially known as the Second Indochina War, in which a military conflict took place in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975, initially involving military forces of North Vietnam against South Vietnamese forces; and
WHEREAS, in 1962, the United States became involved in an advisory capacity in support of South Vietnam because American policy makers feared if the South fell to the Communist regime of North Vietnam, the door would open for Communism to spread throughout Asia; and
WHEREAS, in 1965, U.S. Combat troops began arriving en masse in Vietnam, and by 1969 a peak of approximately 543,000 were "in-country"; and
WHEREAS, on January 27, 1973, hostilities ended with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, the release of all American prisoners of war held by North Vietnam, and the withdrawal of all U.S. Forces from South Vietnam; two months later, on March 29, 1973, the last U.S. Military forces were pulled out of South Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, more than 9 million Americans served in the military during the war; more than 58,000 Americans lost their lives, and more than 300,000 were wounded; and
WHEREAS, more than 57,000 New Mexicans served during the Vietnam War and 398 New Mexicans were killed in action, ranking New Mexico third nationally in the per-capita casualty rate; and
WHEREAS, upon returning home, many soldiers were not welcomed as patriots who dutifully answered the call to military service but were instead met with scorn as participants in a war unpopular with many here at home; and
WHEREAS, March 29, 2012 was initially proclaimed "National Vietnam War Veterans Day" nationwide in honor of our men and women who served during the Vietnam War era, and five years later was introduced as an an...
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