Rep. Neguse Hosts Event Honoring Vietnam War-Era Veterans
Lafayette, CO — On Saturday April 27th, House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse hosted a Vietnam Veterans Congressional Commemoration Ceremony. The event, which took place at the Longmont American Legion Post 32, featured Keynote Speaker and local Vietnam Veteran, Terry Rizzuti.
The Colorado Congressman presented lapel pins and certificates to 27 local Vietnam Veterans and one surviving spouse. Many of the American service members recognized at the ceremony were met with unfair treatment and scrutiny after returning from their time in service.
In his remarks, Assistant Leader Neguse stated: “Between the years of 1955 and 1975, our country embarked on a particularly difficult chapter. During these two decades, nearly 9 million Americans raised their right hands and committed themselves to serving our nation as members of the United States Armed Forces. These brave individuals were committed to serving our country above all else, fighting in a war they had not started.”
“Regardless of your age, race, ethnicity, or background, you are all united in your bravery and your undying passion for service. For years you endured the greatest hardships of war – having to undergo separation from your loved ones and experiencing the horror of war. You gave up your lives to protect ours. This brings me to why we are here today. We are here to say the ‘thank you’ that many of you did not receive when you first came home. We are here to greet you with the cheers you should have heard. And we are here to extend our deepest apologies that it took until this point for you to receive the recognition you so deeply deserve.”
“I’m proud of my military service; I’m proud to call myself a Marine; I’m proud to call myself a Vietnam Vet. In fact, if you ask me who I am, deep down inside I’m a Vietnam Vet. That’s who I am. The Vietnam War defined me, taught me who I am as a human being. Most would answer that question, ‘I’m a doctor, or I’m a lawyer, or I’m a carpenter, or whatever,’ but I’m a Vietnam Vet, and proud of it,” said Terry Rizzuti.
In 2012, President Obama launched a 13-year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War to ensure that every veteran, family, caregiver, and survivor impacted by the difficult years in Vietnam feels our Nation’s gratitude for their sacrifice. The commemoration began on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, and will continue through Veterans Day, November 11, 2025.
Background
This is the second year Congressman Neguse, a strong advocate for American veterans and service members, has hosted an event to commemorate Vietnam War-era veterans. Last year, he was joined by local service members in Fort Collins.
Neguse has championed several initiatives to help support veterans. In December 2023, President Biden signed Rep. Neguse’s Mental Health for Military Families Act into law. The Mental Health for Military Families Act is a bipartisan bill that expands access to counseling and mental health services for Colorado’s military families by allowing the Secretary of Defense to waive out-of-pocket expenses for military families on TRICARE for their first three outpatient mental health visits per year. Also last year, Rep. Neguse introduced a bipartisan legislative package to ensure that veterans can access the services and resources they deserve. The bills, which include the Department of Veterans Affairs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act and the HUBS for Veterans Act, work to improve the treatment and compensation for veterans experiencing PTSD and create regional “network hubs” for veterans, service members, and their families to seek resources and support.
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