Vietnam Veterans Day proposed

When Vietnam veterans returned home, many were met with jeers and spits from an American public growing increasingly unsupportive of the war.

In an effort to raise awareness to the “cost of freedom” and “welcome them home,” Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker) sponsors HF2582 to designate March 29 in the state as Vietnam Veterans Day. Approved by the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee Feb. 25, it awaits action in the House Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee.

Howes said the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam was completed on March 29, 1973. “This is one small thing we can do for the men and women who served in Vietnam,” he said.

Showing support for the bill in a previous committee were several Forest Lake High School social studies students, who have been studying the Vietnam War.

“I don’t think it’s too late to honor them with a day that can show that we really value what they did over there. This day will give them the value and respect that they didn’t get when they came home from the war,” said senior Soren Duggan.

While supportive of Vietnam veterans, John Cox, a Korean War veteran, does not favor the proposal. “Are we going to let every era have their own Veterans Day? We do have a Veterans Day,” he said.

A companion bill, SF2632, sponsored by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt), awaits action in the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee.