WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) – chairman and member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – introduced a resolution to recognize the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

From 1955 to 1975, more than 10,000,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces fought to support the cause of freedom in South Vietnam. During the war, 58,281 U.S. servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice and more than 300,000 were wounded. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has reported that there are an additional 1,545 servicemembers who are still missing and unaccounted for.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and we must never forget the sacrifices of the brave men and women of our military who served our nation and defended freedom around the world,” said Sen. Moran. “It is our duty to continue honoring their service and make certain they receive the care, respect and recognition they have earned. It is also a time to remember those who did not return home and make certain their legacy is never forgotten. By introducing this resolution to commemorate the war’s end, we reaffirm our nation’s commitment to continue honoring those who served in Vietnam. I thank my colleague Sen. Duckworth for joining me in this effort.”

“The 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War powerfully reminds us to honor the brave Americans whose service and sacrifice should never be forgotten,” said Sen. Duckworth. “We must continue to uphold the memory of those who never came home, to recognize the legacy of all those who supported the American effort in South Vietnam and to deliver the highest quality care to our aging Vietnam Veteran population. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution alongside Senator Moran to commemorate the end of the Vietnam War and to remind the nation of the unpayable debt we owe to those who served.”

The full text of the resolution here.

The resolution was also cosponsored by Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).

“This resolution is far more than symbolic — it is a reaffirmation of America’s conscience,” said Tom Burke, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America. “Fifty years after the guns fell silent, the Vietnam veteran continues to serve our country through example, leadership, and sacrifice. We are grateful to Senators Moran and Duckworth for honoring this legacy, for recognizing the women who served, and for recommitting our nation to the fullest possible accounting of our missing in action. The Vietnam generation built the foundation for every veteran organization and reform that came after. This resolution tells every Vietnam veteran — your service mattered, your sacrifice endures, and your nation remembers.”

“This Senate resolution embodies what Vietnam Veterans of America has stood for since our founding in 1978 — that never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another,” said James McCormick, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America. “It honors the courage of those who fought, the families who carried the burden, and the generations who followed in our footsteps. We especially thank Senator Moran for his unwavering support of our priorities, from suicide prevention to full POW/MIA accounting and toxic exposure reform. As we mark this 50th anniversary, let us turn remembrance into renewed purpose — ensuring that every veteran, regardless of era, is recognized, protected, and never forgotten.”

Sen. Moran gave floor remarks to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. You can watch his floor remarks here.

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