By Peter Day
Senior Reporter
A dream has become a reality for the Lucerne Valley American Legion post.
On March 22, 2016, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the post's request to proclaim March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." The official proclamation is valid through the year 2020.
The proclamation was proposed by Beatrice Walton, president of the Lucerne Valley American Legion Auxiliary Post 879. American League post commander is Lee Rasmussen.
The proclamation reads as follows:
"WHEREAS, the Vietnam War is a story of service members of different backgrounds, colors and creeds who came together for our country's call and served with honor, casting themselves into harm's way to preserve the liberties we hold dear; and
"WHEREAS, these service members left their families to serve the country they loved, to fight in one of the longest and most challenging wars; and
"WHEREAS, thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars, were emotionally burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress and memories that would never fade; and
"WHEREAS, more than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our Nation and now their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict's great cost; and
"WHEREAS, today, we reaffirm one of our fundamental obligations to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignify they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us.
"NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino, State of California, does hereby proclaim March 30 through the year 2020, as WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY in the County of San Bernardino. Further, the members of the Board call upon all citizens of the County to remember and honor those who have faithfully served this great Nation and those that continue to serve."