WHEREAS, the year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of United States combat operations and the release of American prisoners of war in Vietnam and in 2017 federal legislation was signed into law declaring March 29 as a National Day of Remembrance to honor Vietnam War veterans; and

WHEREAS, we focus our thoughts and prayers on the families of more than 58,000 individuals who served our country and never returned home, and we also pay tribute to the 149 Nevadans we lost in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, we pay our humble respects to those who were held as Prisoner of War or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States; and

WHEREAS, we owe a debt of gratitude and a belated "Welcome Home" to those who served honorably in this war but were denied the proper respect and gratitude they so richly deserved for serving their nation; and

WHEREAS, we also recognize the long lasting and devastating effects of the Vietnam War which includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exposure to Agent Orange, that still affects Vietnam War veterans and their families; and

WHEREAS, the great State of Nevada proudly honors the more than 9 million Vietnam War era veterans who served our country in one of the longest conflicts in which the United States has been involved; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2023 as

VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY IN NEVADA