Remarks by President Ronald Reagan during video taping session for Chicago's Vietnam Veterans parade. Map Room.
Item
Title
Remarks by President Ronald Reagan during video taping session for Chicago's Vietnam Veterans parade. Map Room.
Description
Transcription (made by Regina Hong for the Timeline Project):
(0:00-0.07) Greetings to all of you gathered in Chicago for the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Parade.
(0:08-0:13) President Teddy Roosevelt, a man who had himself led troops into battle, once said: “A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country, is good enough to be given a square deal afterward.”
(0:19-0:28) Clearly, the welcome home received by many of our brave men and women who served in Vietnam was less than they deserved, and that’s putting it mildly.
(0:29-0:31) Today, however, Americans are making up for that.
(0:32-0:41) All over our country, citizens are joining together to honor those who served their country and the cause of freedom in South Vietnam.
(0:42-0:45) In 1984, I helped dedicate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in our nation’s capital.
(0:46-0:54) And on Memorial Day and other occasions, Vietnam veterans have been singled out as they should be for their service.
(0:55-0:58) Your parade in Chicago is a fine example of what I’m talking about.
(0:59-1:12) I hope that all those who participate, and all those veterans throughout our country, will stand a little taller knowing that the people of Chicago and indeed all America, are grateful, and have not forgotten.
(1:13-1:17) This parade, a welcome home event, is simply taking care of unfinished business.
(1:18-1:25) A goodwill expressed to our Vietnam veterans by this celebration will help heal old wounds.
(1:26-1:39) Yet, even as those wounds heal, let us re-state firmly and unambiguously the book on the Vietnam War will not be closed, until the final pages on the prisoners-of-war and the missing-in-action have been written.
(1:40-1:53) Cheering on our veterans is something America wants to do; keeping faith with those whose names are found on the POWMIA list is our duty.
(1:54-1:59) Indeed, in the last year, over 50 of these brave men were returned to their final burial on U.S. soil.
(1:58-2:02) In recent years, many have observed an awakening of patriotic spirit across America.
(2:03-2:07) It can be seen in events which draw people together to help the less fortunate.
(2:08-2:13) It is evident in our colleges and universities and on main street America.
(2:14-2:20) Next month, we will be re-dedicating Miss Liberty herself, standing there proud and tall in New York Harbor, lifting high her torch of freedom.
(2:21-2:31) It’s appropriate in such times as these, when we recognize how much we have to be grateful for, that we turn to our veterans and offer them thanks.
(2:31-2:40) To all of you who are marching, I salute you. You have done us proud. God bless you.
(0:00-0.07) Greetings to all of you gathered in Chicago for the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Parade.
(0:08-0:13) President Teddy Roosevelt, a man who had himself led troops into battle, once said: “A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country, is good enough to be given a square deal afterward.”
(0:19-0:28) Clearly, the welcome home received by many of our brave men and women who served in Vietnam was less than they deserved, and that’s putting it mildly.
(0:29-0:31) Today, however, Americans are making up for that.
(0:32-0:41) All over our country, citizens are joining together to honor those who served their country and the cause of freedom in South Vietnam.
(0:42-0:45) In 1984, I helped dedicate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in our nation’s capital.
(0:46-0:54) And on Memorial Day and other occasions, Vietnam veterans have been singled out as they should be for their service.
(0:55-0:58) Your parade in Chicago is a fine example of what I’m talking about.
(0:59-1:12) I hope that all those who participate, and all those veterans throughout our country, will stand a little taller knowing that the people of Chicago and indeed all America, are grateful, and have not forgotten.
(1:13-1:17) This parade, a welcome home event, is simply taking care of unfinished business.
(1:18-1:25) A goodwill expressed to our Vietnam veterans by this celebration will help heal old wounds.
(1:26-1:39) Yet, even as those wounds heal, let us re-state firmly and unambiguously the book on the Vietnam War will not be closed, until the final pages on the prisoners-of-war and the missing-in-action have been written.
(1:40-1:53) Cheering on our veterans is something America wants to do; keeping faith with those whose names are found on the POWMIA list is our duty.
(1:54-1:59) Indeed, in the last year, over 50 of these brave men were returned to their final burial on U.S. soil.
(1:58-2:02) In recent years, many have observed an awakening of patriotic spirit across America.
(2:03-2:07) It can be seen in events which draw people together to help the less fortunate.
(2:08-2:13) It is evident in our colleges and universities and on main street America.
(2:14-2:20) Next month, we will be re-dedicating Miss Liberty herself, standing there proud and tall in New York Harbor, lifting high her torch of freedom.
(2:21-2:31) It’s appropriate in such times as these, when we recognize how much we have to be grateful for, that we turn to our veterans and offer them thanks.
(2:31-2:40) To all of you who are marching, I salute you. You have done us proud. God bless you.
Date, date span, or circa acceptable
1986-06-02
File name
ARC Identifier: 161351486
Agency-Assigned Identifier: Tape PP6153C
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/161351486
Agency-Assigned Identifier: Tape PP6153C
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/161351486
Sources archive, University Archives and Special Collections or Women and Leadership Archives
National Archives and Records Administration
Source
Series: Presidential Audio Recordings, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989
Collection: Records of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) (Reagan Administration), 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989
Collection: Records of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) (Reagan Administration), 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989
Subject
Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Parade
Vietnam War
Ronald Reagan
Chicago
Rights
Access Restriction(s):Unrestricted
Use Restriction(s):Unrestricted
Use Restriction(s):Unrestricted
Creator
Series: Presidential Audio Recordings, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989
Collection: Records of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) (Reagan Administration), 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989
Collection: Records of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) (Reagan Administration), 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989
