Toomey, Donnelly Work to Honor Veterans of Vietnam War

Statement

U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) want to recognize and honor the veterans of the Vietnam War. Today, Sens. Toomey and Donnelly introduced the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act - a bipartisan bill that would designate March 29th as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day." March 29th marks the anniversary of the day that combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam.

"In many cases, Vietnam veterans did not receive the warm welcome they deserved when they came home. It's time we put a heartfelt thank you to Vietnam veterans into law, and I will continue working with Senator Donnelly to advance this bipartisan legislation." said Sen. Toomey.

"At the end of the war, many of our Vietnam veterans didn't receive the welcome home or the recognition they deserved. This bipartisan bill would help our country honor this generation of veterans who taught us about love of country and service and who deserve to be honored for their selflessness and sacrifice. I'm glad to work with Senator Toomey to promote Vietnam Veterans Day," said Sen. Donnelly.

"It's outstanding that Sen. Toomey is working to support and honor our Vietnam vets. Sen. Toomey's overall work on behalf of veterans is commendable and we thank Sen. Toomey for all his efforts," said Steven Ryersbach, Past State Commander- AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania.

"The Pennsylvania State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) supports the "Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act," which recognizes the service and sacrifice of those who answered our country's call and served, with honor, in Southeast Asia. We appreciate Sen. Toomey and Sen. Donnelly for their leadership on this bill and their ongoing support for our Vietnam Veterans," said Tom Haberkorn, President of Pennsylvania State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America.

"All Vietnam War veterans deserve high honor and respect that many of them did not get when they returned home from war. Designating March 29th of each year to say "welcome home' and "thank you' to our Vietnam War veterans is a strong signal that America appreciates the service of these special patriots of freedom. The Pennsylvania VFW thanks Senator Toomey for his ongoing efforts to recognize veterans of all service periods including our brothers and sisters who served in Vietnam," said Glenn R. Umberger, Jr., Pennsylvania VFW State Commander.

This legislation is supported by Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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