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Skogen’s vet’s bill is now law
Published Friday, March 28, 2008
Dan Skogen
A state holiday recognizing Vietnam veterans is scheduled for Saturday after Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt) Thursday.
The bill designates March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, the date U.S. ground forces left the Asian country in 1973.
Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker) initiated the bill in the House, with Skogen authoring the Senate version.
Skogen said he introduced the bill early this session as a way to honor the servicemen and women who didn’t receive the kind of homecoming most U.S. troops encounter today.
“Those people came home alone in their civilian clothes,” Skogen said. Vietnam veterans did not return to parades and other festivities, he said, in fact some Americans made a point of telling soldiers they weren’t welcome at all.
“This is an attempt by me to provide closure,” Skogen said, adding that ultimately, only soldiers themselves can find it.
While a couple of senators expressed initial hesitation about adding another state holiday, the bill passed the Senate unanimously and met with the governor’s approval Thursday afternoon.
Tennessee is also honoring Vietnam veterans Saturday, and an event is scheduled at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., which bears the names of 1,072 Minnesotans who died in service.
In a statement, Pawlenty said events may be scheduled in Minnesota in the future.
“These men and women served with great valor,” he said. “The way they were treated at the conclusion of the war is shameful and never should be repeated again.”
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by eagle_eye (anonymous) on March 29, 2008 at 1:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Senator Skogen!!! As the wife of a Viet Nam vet, I know full well how they came home to criticism and cries of "baby killer" and worse. My husband bears the emotional scars of his time in "Nam", and will forever. Nobody came up to THEM and shook their hands and said "thanks for serving!", like they do for Gulf War vets. So it was "only" a "police action", and not a war...but don't tell that those who were wounded or killed. It is about time they received some recognition, even if it is only a state holiday that will do nothing to change their lives.
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