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WHEREAS, March of this year marked 50 years since the Vietnam War officially began with the deployment of 2,500 U.S. Marines; and,
WHEREAS, throughout the duration of this conflict, nearly 3 million American servicemen and servicewomen bravely served within Vietnam's borders, with the average U.S. soldier in the infantry in Vietnam seeing about 240 days of combat in one year; and,
WHEREAS, the total number of U.S. armed forces killed in Vietnam in the two decades of involvement was 58,253 and those non-mortally wounded in Vietnam was 153,363; and,
WHEREAS, we express our gratitude toward all those men and women who made great sacrifices to serve our country in the armed forces during the Vietnam War. And we thank the friends, families, and leaders who have also made sacrifices for their loved ones and supported these individuals during this conflict and in the years after returning home; and,
WHEREAS, organizations like Pittsburgh-based Vietnam Veterans Inc. continue to serve Vietnam veterans in our community by promoting the physical and cultural improvement, growth and development, self-respect and self-confidence of Vietnam veterans; and,
WHEREAS, additionally, Vietnam Veterans Inc. works to increase public awareness and appreciation for the contributions and sacrifices of Vietnam veterans, and also assists disabled Vietnam veterans and their dependents and the dependents of deceased Vietnam veterans; and,
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, honors our Vietnam Veterans, those who have sacrificed their lives, those who have passed, those unaccounted for, and their families; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the year 2015 to be "The Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War" in the City of Pittsburgh.