DISCUSSION
The United States became involved in Vietnam because policymakers in the United States
believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout
the rest of Southeast Asia. Members of the United States Armed Forces began serving in an advisory
role to the South Vietnamese in 1961. As a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on August 2 and
August 4, 1964, the United States Congress overwhelmingly passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on
August 7, 1964 (Public Law 99-408), which effectively handed over the war-making powers to
President Johnson until such time as "peace and security" had returned to Vietnam. In 1965, there were
80,000 United States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969 a peak of approximately 543,000 troops was
reached.
On January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was signed, which required the release of all United
States prisoners of war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces
from South Vietnam. On March 30, 1973, the United States Armed Forces completed the withdrawal of
combat troops from Vietnam. More than 58,000 soldiers, sailors, airman, marines, and coast-guardsmen
lost their lives in the Vietnam War and more than 300,000 were wounded. Of those many casualties, 46
were Shasta County residents.
Our Nation's involvement in the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue among the people
of the United States. AB 717 established March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." It
encourages public schools and educational institutions to observe that day and to conduct exercises
recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Vietnam War and remembering the sacrifices
they made for their country. Therefore, the establishment of a Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran's Day
would be an appropriate way to honor the brave men and women of Shasta County who served in the
United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. |