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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In the late 1950s and early 1960s, United States
3military personnel began serving as military advisors to the
4South Vietnamese military in their conflict with North Vietnam;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, As the Vietnam War escalated over the subsequent
7decade; Americans, including many Illinoisans, were called to
8join the war as the United States implemented a military draft;
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, As the war continued, over 58,000 members of the
11United States Armed Forces would lose their lives and more than
12300,000 were wounded; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Nearly 3,000 Illinoisans were killed or listed as
14missing in action during the Vietnam War; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Upon returning home, those who served in Vietnam
16were met with a vigorous public debate about the involvement of
17the United States in the war; and
 
18    WHEREAS, As these veterans returned home, many of them were
19not given the credit and support they deserved for dutifully
20serving their country; many were met with vigorous protests and

 

 

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1condemnations and received widespread insults by opponents of
2the Vietnam War; and
 
3    WHEREAS, While service members returning home following
4World War II and the Korean War were met with homecoming
5celebrations, veterans returning from Vietnam were met with
6strong opposition that was directed at them rather than the
7appropriate decision makers in Washington; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Many who returned home from the battlefield were
9spit on, called killers, and ignored by the American public at
10a time when they needed the support of their fellow citizens;
11therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
13HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE
14CONCURRING HEREIN, that we stand united in our strong support
15of all military personnel who served and sacrificed during the
16Vietnam War and offer our heartfelt and sincere apology to all
17Vietnam veterans who were mistreated after returning home from
18their service; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That we declare November 1, 2018 as "Vietnam
20Veterans Recognition Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it
21further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That we urge all Illinoisans to show support and
2gratitude to all Americans who have worn the uniform of the
3United States and who put their lives in danger to defend our
4freedoms; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we urge the Governor and the Secretary of
6State to instruct that all flags within their purview be
7lowered to half-mast on November 1, 2018 as a sign of respect
8to all Vietnam veterans; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
10presented to the Director of the Illinois Department of
11Veteran's Affairs, the Illinois Vietnam Veterans of America,
12the Illinois Secretary of State, and the Governor of the State
13of Illinois.