Gov. Rounds Proclaims March 29, 2008, as Vietnam Veterans Day

Press Release

Gov. Rounds Proclaims March 29, 2008, as Vietnam Veterans Day

Gov. Mike Rounds has proclaimed March 29, 2008, as Vietnam Veterans Day in South Dakota. It is a day to honor those who served in Vietnam and to remember those who never returned to their loved ones.

March 29, 2008, is the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the last American forces to leave the Republic of Vietnam, commonly known as South Vietnam.

"The Vietnam War Memorial Service held in September 2006, was a very special way to say welcome home and thank you to approximately 28,000 men and women from South Dakota who served during the Vietnam War era," said Gov. Rounds. "On March 29, we again say thank you and respectfully honor those who served, and those who lost their lives."

Executive Proclamation
State of South Dakota
Office of the Governor

Whereas, President Eisenhower sent the first United States military advisors to train the South Vietnamese Army on February 12, 1955; and,

Whereas, On July 8, 1959, the first American soldiers were killed by hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam; and,

Whereas, On August 2, 1964, North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked the U.S. Destroyer Maddox, and on August 7, 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, unofficially marking the beginning of the Vietnam War; and,

Whereas, The first American combat troops arrived in the Republic of Vietnam on March 8, 1965; and,

Whereas, Approximately 28,000 men and women from every corner of South Dakota served during the Vietnam War era; and,

Whereas, 212 South Dakotans lost their lives while serving in Vietnam; and,

Whereas, Many South Dakotans who served in Vietnam left to fight and return from the war without parade or fanfare, their absence noted by only family and close friends; and,

Whereas, For nearly a decade, many of South Dakota's young men and women were thrust into the uncertainty of fighting a war in an unfamiliar, far away land; and,

Whereas, These brave citizens served with distinction and honor; and,

Whereas, March 29, 2008, is the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the last American forces to leave the Republic of Vietnam, commonly known as South Vietnam:

Now, Therefore, I, M. Michael Rounds, Governor of the state of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2008, as
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

in South Dakota, as a day to honor those who served in Vietnam and to remember those who never returned to their loved ones.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of South Dakota, in Pierre, the Capital City, this Twenty-fifth Day of March in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

M. Michael Rounds, Governor

Attest:
Chris Nelson, Secretary of State

Source