Bill creating Vietnam Veterans Day clears Minn. House panel
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota veterans of the Vietnam War are a step closer to having a day that honors their service.
A bill designating March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day cleared a House committee Friday and awaits hearings in the state Senate.
Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, said the day wouldn't rise to the level of a government holiday. But he sees it as an appropriate tribute to veterans who struggled to gain public gratitude upon their return.
Diane Finnemann, whose brother earned a Silver Star after being wounded in Vietnam, urged the bill's passage.
"There can never be too many opportunities to teach and remember the true cost of protecting Americans' freedom," she said.
March 29 was chosen because it was the date that the last American troops were withdrawn from the Asian country. The Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. contains the names of 1,072 Minnesotans killed in action.
But John Cox, a Korean War veteran, voiced skepticism over the proposal.
"We have one Veterans Day," he said. "Are we going to let every era have their own Veterans Day?"
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota veterans of the Vietnam War are a step closer to having a day that honors their service.
A bill designating March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day cleared a House committee Friday and awaits hearings in the state Senate.
Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, said the day wouldn't rise to the level of a government holiday. But he sees it as an appropriate tribute to veterans who struggled to gain public gratitude upon their return.
Diane Finnemann, whose brother earned a Silver Star after being wounded in Vietnam, urged the bill's passage.
"There can never be too many opportunities to teach and remember the true cost of protecting Americans' freedom," she said.
March 29 was chosen because it was the date that the last American troops were withdrawn from the Asian country. The Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. contains the names of 1,072 Minnesotans killed in action.
But John Cox, a Korean War veteran, voiced skepticism over the proposal.
"We have one Veterans Day," he said. "Are we going to let every era have their own Veterans Day?"
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