April 23, 1981
By the President of the United States
of America
A Proclamation
The decade which has come to be known as the Vietnam era was a time of trial for our Nation.
Nearly every citizen was touched in some way by the war in Southeast Asia.
As in all wars, the brunt of the conflict was borne by the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines
who served in our Armed Forces during that time, particularly the millions who saw duty in
Vietnam. Beyond the 57,000 who died during the Vietnam war, we have among us millions of
veterans who have yet to receive the full measure of thanks for having accepted the call to arms
when such service was not popular with all Americans. More than 300,000 of these were
wounded in Vietnam, many suffering permanent disabilities.
The cold statistics are empty, however, unless we keep in mind the individual and personal drama
which accompanies each Vietnam-era veteran and casualty. Much has been said about the
sacrifice made by those who served, but full recognition of the Nation's debt of gratitude to them
is long overdue.
Our first national commemoration of the Vietnam-era veteran was in 1974, when Vietnam
Veterans Day was proclaimed pursuant to a joint resolution of the Congress. I believe it is
appropriate again to recognize and commemorate those men and women who did their duty in a
time of crisis. No one should doubt the nobility of the effort they made.
By their demonstrations of loyalty and courage, Vietnam veterans have earned our esteem. A
recent survey revealed that the American public overwhelmingly admires the Vietnam-era veteran.
Certainly, those veterans who suffer from physical and psychic aftereffects can look to their fellow
citizens for understanding and help.
In these times of economic hardship and budget restriction every citizen should be aware that
showing our gratitude to the Vietnam veteran will take more than leaving it up to the Federal
Government to provide money and programs. Each of us must do his or her part in reaching out
in a personal way to these brave men and women. This recognition will mean much to the
Vietnam veterans who never received the thanks they deserved when they originally returned
home from war.
In honor of those who deserve the profound gratitude of their countrymen, the Congress, by joint
resolution, has requested the President to issue a proclamation designating Sunday, April 26,
1981, as a National Day of Recognition for Veterans of the Vietnam Era.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, call upon all
Americans, and upon patriotic and civic organizations, to observe Sunday, April 26, 1981, as a
National Day of Recognition for Veterans of the Vietnam Era. I urge my fellow citizens to
observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities dedicated to those issues
of concern to Vietnam veterans.
I call upon officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government
buildings and grounds on that day in testimony of our respect for the contributions of Vietnam
veterans.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of April, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and eighty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and fifth.
Ronald Reagan
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 3:47 p.m., April 23, 1981]