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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing Vietnam War Veterans.

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     WHEREAS, the Vietnam War has been documented as the longest

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United States military conflict in history, lasting 30 years,

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with United States military personnel involvement from 1960 to

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1975, and

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     WHEREAS, the soldiers of the United States 9th Marine

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Regiment landed in Da Nang in March 1965 to protect United States

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air bases in South Vietnam, and direct United States military

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troop involvement commenced in an effort to prevent the collapse

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of the government of South Vietnam, and

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     WHEREAS, the United States government committed 2.59 million

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Air Force, Navy, Marine, and Army personnel to serve in the

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Vietnam War over a 10-year period with more than 58,000 brave

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soldiers giving their lives in combat and more than 300,000

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soldiers wounded, more than half of those receiving very serious

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injuries, and

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     WHEREAS, the average age of those fighting for democracy and

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freedom in the Vietnam War was 19 years of age - younger than

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those who served in World War II and the Korean War, and

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     WHEREAS, the United States government under President

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Richard M. Nixon initiated United States troop withdrawal in 1969

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and on January 27, 1973, the United States, South Vietnam, the

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PRG, and North Vietnam signed the Treaty of Paris, with the final

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withdrawal of all troops from Vietnam taking place on March 29,

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1973, and

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     WHEREAS, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. was

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dedicated in 1982 to commemorate the United States soldiers who

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died or were declared missing in action in Vietnam, with more

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than 58,000 names etched in a black granite V-shaped wall that

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has become a site of pilgrimage for veterans and civilians alike,

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and

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     WHEREAS, the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Southwest Florida

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will offer a living testament of democracy and freedom for all

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who visit it, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the members of the Florida Senate pay tribute to the

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tremendous sacrifices of every veteran, living and deceased, who

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bravely served this country during the Vietnam War, and affirm

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that their sacrifices and those of their loved ones will never be

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forgotten.

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     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with

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the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Vietnam Veterans

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of America Chapter 594 as a tangible token of the sentiments of

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the Florida Senate.