Governor Hogan Signs “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” Bill Into Law

First Bill Signing Honors 1,014 Marylanders Who Served In Vietnam

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today joined Senate President Mike Miller, Speaker of the House Mike Busch, Secretary of Veterans Affairs George Owings, and local veterans at a bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill 80 and House Bill 1118, establishing March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” With unanimous support from the Maryland General Assembly, the new law establishes a commemorative day to honor Maryland veterans who served in Vietnam. 

“I couldn't be more proud to have my first bill signing be one that honors Vietnam veterans,” said Governor Hogan. “Making sure all our veterans receive the support and gratitude they deserve will always be a priority of our administration. I want to thank Senator Astle and Delegate Wilson for their leadership, and most importantly thank our veterans for their service. Marylanders enjoy freedom today because of the sacrifices made by our veterans.”
“We are proud to see Governor Hogan sign his first bill, especially one dedicated to our veterans,” said Secretary Owings. “This is a bill of high priority, which is why it passed both houses of the General Assembly so quickly this session.”

During the Vietnam War, 58,000 members of the armed forces, including 1,014 from Maryland, lost their lives. More than 2.7 million Americans served in the Vietnam War and nearly 9 million served during the Vietnam era.

In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the District of Columbia to commemorate those members of the armed forces who died or were declared missing-in-action in the Vietnam War. Forty-two years have passed since troops left Vietnam.