STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki (R-Syracuse) honored Vietnam War veterans at the Statehouse Monday for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The honor was in a resolution which urged Gov. Mike Pence to establish March 30 as an annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

“Our soldiers were not given the heroes welcome one would expect. We wanted to show them the respect that they deserve for serving our country through a resolution and an official welcome home,” said Rep. Kubacki.

More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, including over 1,500 Hoosiers, lost their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded during the Vietnam War. Due to the large debate that erupted over America’s involvement in the war, American soldiers were not given the public support or appreciation for their service that they deserved.

While the Vietnam Veterans war memorial in Washington, D.C., commemorated the lives and services of the men and women who would never return home from the war, there was no ticker tape parade for those who did return home.

Through the establishment of an annual statewide Vietnam War Veterans recognition day, Hoosiers can express their appreciation and honor the men and women who served in Vietnam in the Armed Services, Red Cross and other civic organizations. These men and women deserve to be treated with respect for their patriotic actions in nothing less than a day set aside to honor them and finally give them a hero’s welcome home.

“The men and women who lost their lives, were injured or were declared missing in action deserve to be commemorated and remembered. Many soldiers were greeted with boos, looked upon with disdain and even spat on. These brave soldiers were doing their job and following orders and it is time to welcome them home,” said Rep. Kubacki.

“It is my hope that with a day honoring those involved with the Vietnam War we can begin saying ‘I am sorry’ and ‘thank you,’ declarations that are long overdue. I am honored that I was able to stand next to these brave individuals and equally excited that they were able to come and join together here at the Statehouse for this special day,” added Rep. Kubacki.