Watch President Obama's Speech at the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary (EXCELLENT!!) [View all]

[SunsetDreams]

“You were often blamed for a war you didn’t start when you should have been commended for serving your country with valor,” Obama said. “You were sometimes blamed for misdeeds of a few when the honorable service of the many should have been praised. You came home and sometimes were denigrated when you should have been celebrated. It was a national shame, a disgrace that should have never happened. Thats why, here today, we resolve that it will not happen again.”

Obama laments poor treatment of Vietnam veterans

In marking the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War, President Obama challenged veterans and Americans to correct the narrative about the men and women who served during one of the most controversial conflicts in American history.

Speaking at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Obama paid tribute to the 58,000 Americans who died in the conflict and 3 million other Americans who fought in Vietnam. The president used his address at the Wall to call on Americans to resolve to take care of its veterans as well as they have taken care of us.

In a 23-minute speech, Obama lamented that Vietnam veterans were too often blamed for a war they didn't start when they should have been commended for serving with valor, Obama said. He expressed regret that the misdeeds of a few sometimes overshadowed the honorable service of the many.

"It was a national shame, a disgrace that should have never happened," Obama said. "That is why here today we resolve that it will never happen again."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/05/obama-laments-poor-treatment-of-vietnam-veterans/1#.T8PXWdWJf24



Presidential Proclamation -- Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 28, 2012, through November 11, 2025, as the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to honor our Vietnam veterans, our fallen, our wounded, those unaccounted for, our former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, Welcome Home!