Senator Tammy Baldwin's office issued the following on Tuesday:
***MEDIA RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov
(202) 224 – 6225
Baldwin, Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Vietnam Helicopter Crews
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced S. 315, the Vietnam Helicopter Crew Monument Act,
bipartisan legislation which would direct the Secretary of the
Army to place a small monument in Arlington National Cemetery honoring
the nearly 5,000 helicopter pilots and crewmembers killed during the
Vietnam War. Companion legislation was simultaneously introduced in the
House by Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV).
“Throughout
the Vietnam War, brave and courageous helicopter crew members made
incredible sacrifices. I’m proud to work across party lines with Senator
Sullivan and alongside Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Bob
Hesselbein of Wisconsin to respect this selfless service from our
veterans,”
said Senator Baldwin. “Our Vietnam veterans and their families have
earned this recognition and they deserve to be properly honored at
Arlington National Cemetery.”
“The
Vietnam War has colloquially been known as the ‘Helicopter War’ due to
the vital service of helicopter pilots and crews in fighting against the
communist North Vietnamese forces, and their heroic efforts
evacuating thousands of Americans and Vietnamese before the fall of
Saigon,”
said Senator Sullivan. “More than 40 years have passed since the end
of the Vietnam War, and it is time for family members of these fallen
heroes to have a place to come and pay their respects. The proposed
five-foot-by-one-foot memorial – funded with private
donations – is an appropriate addition to Arlington National Cemetery,
especially considering it represents the sacrifice of so many thousands
of fallen service members.”
“It
is time to honor the thousands who died operating helicopters in the
Vietnam War, and this bill will place a suitable memorial where it
belongs—Arlington National Cemetery,”
said Bob Hesselbein, Legacy Committee Chairman of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.
“Some forty years after the end of the war, the thousands who died
operating helicopters in the Vietnam War will finally be recognized for
their devotion, persistent
courage, and ultimate sacrifice in what is called, ‘The Helicopter
War.’ We are grateful for this legislation.”
The
proposal was submitted by the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
(VHPA). The VHPA has agreed to fund the construction and installation
costs of the monument.
In
addition to Senators Baldwin and Sullivan, cosponsors include Senators
John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), Joe Manchin
(D-WV), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
An online version of this release is available
here.
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veterans
