Whereas, during the Vietnam War many Vietnamese men and women fought alongside the United States in defending freedom and the principles of democracy in their homeland; and
Whereas, from 1961 to 1975, almost 800,000 Vietnamese freedom fighting men and women were wounded and over 250,000 killed, yet their sacrifices were not recognized; and
Whereas, many officers and enlisted personnel of the former Republic of Vietnam were imprisoned as enemies of the state, as were several intellectuals, teachers and artists; and
Whereas, the end of the Vietnam conflict produced an exodus of over two million Vietnamese who sought political asylum in the free world, and bravely risked their lives to live under the propriety of democracy; and
Whereas, the three red stripes of the flag of the Republic of Vietnam which Vietnamese freedom fighters defended is an eternal symbol of hope and love of freedom, just as the American flag symbolizes these virtues for citizens across America; and
Whereas, tradionally, the former Republic of Vietnam celebrated June 19th as a day to commemorate and honor both the fallen and the living heroes who have dedicated their lives to bringing international attention to the need for greater observance of and respect for human rights in Vietnam;
Now, therefore, we, the City Council of Holand, Michigan, do hereby recognize April 30th, as
In the City of Holland, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
Albert H. McGeehan
Mayor
Approved on June 4, 2003 by City Council