WHEREAS, March 29th, 2024 marks the 51st anniversary of when the last United States Military unit left Vietnam and the final group of American prisoners of war were freed; and

WHEREAS, 48,000 men and women from the State of Maine served in Vietnam, while an additional 16,000 Mainers were serving worldwide during the Vietnam War era; and

WHEREAS, the names of 343 Mainers who laid down their lives are etched on the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and 11 of our young men are still missing in Southeast Asia; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine joins the Nation in recognizing Vietnam veterans by setting aside March 29th of each year as Vietnam War Veterans Day; and

WHEREAS, on this day, we remember and honor those who selflessly served, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, who were wounded and live with those scars daily, and those who are still missing in Southeast Asia; we will never forget you; and

WHEREAS, we want to convey a hearty welcome home and thank you to those who never heard it and declare that we are very proud of you and your service to your country and the State of Maine;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 29, 2024 as

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

throughout the State of Maine, and I encourage all Maine citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this thirteenth day of March Two Thousand Twenty-Four