Proclamation
WHEREAS, The Vietnam War, which began as the Second Indochina War, was a 20year military conflict that took place in the southeast Asian country of Vietnam that started in 1955 as a war between Communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam; and WHEREAS, the United States of America became involved in 1962 in an advisory capacity supporting South Vietnam, as the U.S. government feared the defeat of South Vietnam would lead to the spread of communism throughout southeast Asia; and WHEREAS, three years later U.S. troops were deployed to officially support the South Vietnamese effort. By 1969 543,000 U.S. service members were in-country—the highest number of America’s soldiers during the war; and WHEREAS, the January 27, 1973, the signing of the Paris Peace Accords brought an end to the war. The withdrawal of American troops commenced, as did the release of American prisoners held by North Vietnam. Two months later, on March 29, the last service members left the region; and WHEREAS, all told, more than 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam War era, including more than 2.7 million in southeast Asia. American losses were significant. 58,260 U.S. service members lost their lives, including 5,822 Californian service members who lost their lives or were listed as missing; and WHEREAS, upon returning home from the war, many service members were not welcomed back as honorable patriots who dutifully answered our nation’s call for military service. Many were criticized for their involvement in a war which was unpopular with many of their fellow Americans here at home; and WHEREAS, many states, including California have observed March 29—the date of the last service member pullout from South Vietnam—as “National Vietnam War Veterans Day” in honor of the men and women who served in the United States military during the Vietnam War era. In 2017 Congress recognized the date as an official day of remembrance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matt Serratto, Mayor of the City of Merced, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2025, as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Signed this 17th day of March 2025.
____________________________________
Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced