WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, American prisoners of war | 6 |
were afflicted by poor living conditions, torture and abuse, a | 7 |
lack of food and medical treatment, and attempts at | 8 |
indoctrination. When the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973, | 9 |
provisions were included for exchanging prisoners of war, and | 10 |
between February 12 and April 4 of that year, 591 Americans were | 11 |
returned from North Vietnam, as well as several from South | 12 |
Vietnam, Laos, and China, aboard C-141A Starlifters and other | 13 |
aircraft. Known as Operation Homecoming, these flights to freedom | 14 |
took the ex-POWs to Clark Air Base in the Philippines for medical | 15 |
exams, good meals, and fresh uniforms before they were transported | 16 |
home to the United States; and | 17 |
WHEREAS, On the Fortieth Anniversary of Operation | 18 |
Homecoming, we recognize those brave individuals who have answered | 19 |
this nation's call to arms and have made great sacrifices in | 20 |
service to the United States of America. This solemn occasion is, | 21 |
indeed, an appropriate time to pay tribute to all Vietnam War | 22 |
veterans, including some 1,800 who are still listed as missing in | 23 |
action, for they combined courage and dedication with tremendous | 24 |
strength and resolve during their loyal service on behalf of our | 25 |
country, earning the respect and gratitude of Americans | 26 |
everywhere; and | 27 |
WHEREAS, The heroic traditions of our armed forces are an | 28 |
important part of our nation's heritage. U.S. veterans have | 29 |
provided a valuable service to our country and have established a | 30 |
record of achievement that will long stand as a hallmark worthy of | 31 |
emulation. They have certainly distinguished themselves as | 32 |
patriotic and hard-working Americans, and they are truly deserving | 33 |
of high praise; therefore be it | 34 |