WHEREAS, we as citizens of the great State of New Jersey must never forget the pain and suffering that lingers today for the men and women who fought, with honor and distinction, in the name of freedom and democracy for all; and

WHEREAS, those of us who lived through that troubled period, and those who have come along in the years since, must never forget the harsh lessons that the Vietnam conflict has thrust upon us; and

WHEREAS, more than 200,000 of New Jersey's residents served in the armed forces during that period of turmoil, with more than 80,000 deployed in Southeast Asia, and more than 1,500 dead or still unaccounted for; and

WHEREAS, it is proper and fitting that we set aside a special month for remembering the valor, sacrifice and service of these servicemen and women and their families. In conjunction with the Welcome Home Day Foundation, the State of New Jersey is proud to acknowledge these men and women and their families and welcome them home;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of tile State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim

OCTOBER 2000

as

VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOME HOME MONTH