 On March 29, 1973, our participation in the Vietnam War ended when the last of our troops was shipped out of Vietnam. Sadly, even after more than 58,000 deaths and unspeakable sacrifice from the more than three million Americans who served, many of our Vietnam War veterans came home to neglect and belittlement. Fifty years after American troops were originally sent to Vietnam in 2012, President Barack Obama signed a presidential proclamation declaring March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day. The Navy would like to join in sharing our deepest gratitude to our Vietnam veterans for their sacrifice and protecting our nation. This is a commitment to recognize those who served on active duty from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, especially due to the fact that many of our service members were unfairly treated and went through a great deal of hardship. We would also like to show our appreciation to the nine million families of those who served in the Vietnam War. Their support and sacrifice can also not be overlooked.