Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SunsetDreams

(8,571 posts)
Mon May 28, 2012, 04:01 PM May 2012

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



“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!
12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Watch President Obama's Speech at the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary (EXCELLENT!!) (Original Post) SunsetDreams May 2012 OP
Watched it live malaise May 2012 #1
me too SunsetDreams May 2012 #2
He really brings it, doesn't he? This Viet vet approves. Scuba May 2012 #3
Yes he does. SunsetDreams May 2012 #4
You're welcome. Scuba May 2012 #9
I thought it was perfect for the time, and healing. Glad you liked it, Scuba. freshwest May 2012 #5
Awesome...they are deserving of respect... Brooklyn Dame May 2012 #6
No disrespect to President Obama but why is 2012-2025 being marked as the coalition_unwilling May 2012 #7
About time! I'm glad it was President Obama. demosincebirth May 2012 #8
kick SunsetDreams May 2012 #10
K & R Scurrilous May 2012 #11
K&R SunSeeker May 2012 #12

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
5. I thought it was perfect for the time, and healing. Glad you liked it, Scuba.
Mon May 28, 2012, 04:40 PM
May 2012

I just wish I could pass this onto my Vietnam vet relative, whose wife has now gone Teabag. And he doesn't dare discuss politics at home anymore, to not start a fight because his health is failing.

 

coalition_unwilling

(14,180 posts)
7. No disrespect to President Obama but why is 2012-2025 being marked as the
Mon May 28, 2012, 05:26 PM
May 2012

"50th Anniversary"? Something is wrong either with my memory or with the dates or something. Thought our combat role began there in 1965 (after LBJ was inaugurated). 2025 coincides with 50 years from the end, I suppose, although I thought it ended in 1974.

Maybe I'm just being a pedantic fucker. If so, please forgive me.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Watch President Obama's S...