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Military honors proclaimed

Published (3/20/2009)
By Lee Ann Schutz
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A Minnesota Honors Vietnam Era Veterans day is being planned for June 13 on the State Capitol grounds.

Information about the event was announced during the House Veterans Affairs Division meeting March 13, when Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-North Branch) offered HF1400 to declare the date as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Minnesota.

“This is a time to bring healing and restoration. I believe this is going to be a worthwhile celebration,” said Richard Jenkins Sr., commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and a Vietnam veteran who is among the event planners.

A replica of the Washington D.C. Vietnam Memorial is expected to be on display, and a Bob Hope impersonator is scheduled to recreate the entertainer’s famous skits he would perform for troops.

According to information on the Web site, www.mnhonorsvietnamvets.org, the day will begin with a Gold Star Family prayer service and end with the evening entertainment.

The bill was approved by the division and March 18, by the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee. It now moves to the House floor.

Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) sponsors the companion bill, SF1142. It awaits action on the Senate floor.

Also approved in the committees was a bill to designate March 25 as Medal of Honor Day.

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Obermueller (DFL-Eagan) and Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) SF236*/HF433 would honor Minnesotans who have received the Medal of Honor, which was first presented on that date in 1863. The bill was passed by the Senate on March 16 64-0. It now awaits action by the House.

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