Thank you for inviting me to be here today at Vietnam Living History Day at the Stars and Stripes Museum.

Events like these are extremely important for a number of reasons – not the least of which is that we must observe and respect the sacrifices of our veterans. Without them, the name "America" loses all its meaning. Without them, America does not exist as we know it, and maybe it does not exist at all.

***

I got a letter in Washington, DC, last week from a mother of one of our troops in Iraq. She wanted to be sure I read the story about two army soldiers there who were ambushed, kidnaped and killed on June 16th. Then she mentioned her son – but the letter wasn’t about just her son. She talked about how the most important thing she could do, the only thing she could do, was to support our men and women in uniform with all of her heart.

Every American serving our country has the unconditional love and support of that woman who wrote me a little note – just to let me know she cares – and (consciously or not) to REMIND me that she cares.

When that young man, her son, returns home to Southern Missouri, he will be a veteran. When he was called up, he was in the process of applying to medical school at the University of Missouri. He put that dream on hold to go serve our country. I think it’s a very touching story.

And it is repeated every time an American stands up and volunteers, says yes to our country and yes to our freedoms and liberties and values. Plans, families, lives are put on hold, put into a stressful state of disarray and worry. All of this in the service of our country.

The point is that, with the support of his family, this young man – WHEN he comes home – will pick up this dream and be carried forward. His community, his loved ones, and his Representative in Congress are going to be behind him 100 percent. This is our role in that young man’s patriotic sacrifice.

***

Things were not so easy when our soldiers returned home from Vietnam. Our country was divided over the war and that division spread to the way we treated our troops after they came home from that country.

Our purpose today is to help set right that wrong.

We keep this POW/MIA flag to remember those who did not return from Vietnam, especially, but for all of those who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. We have Vietnam War veterans here with us. We share their stories and honor their service, lending our complete, unconditional support to them.

But there is another wrong to set right.

As many of you may know, the Department of Defense awards Purple Heart medals to soldiers who are injured in the line of duty. But those medals are not awarded to soldiers who were chemically injured by Agent Orange, a weapon of the Vietnam War.

The nature of war is always changing – and war is ugly and hideous. I don’t think the average civilian can ever understand what it is like to go into battle, to face and enemy dedicated to your death. Surviving that ordeal is difficult enough, but with exposure to weapons like Agent Orange, it is nearly impossible to see the world the same way.

The Department of Defense does not award Purple Hearts to those who were exposed to Agent Orange – but it should.

***

The Order of the Silver Rose is an important part of remembrance for the American soldiers who served during the Vietnam War. The soldiers who receive this honor tell an important part of the story about that conflict, the history of U.S. involvement in that region, and a special tale of sacrifice for our nation.

And in addition to those things, the Order of the Silver Rose shows how we get behind these special Vietnam veterans. We are giving them the support, and sending the message of care and concern that they did not receive when they came home from the war. In many ways, they have survived two wars: one in Vietnam, and one at home.

I am glad to say both wars are over now. I am happy to be here to reflect on the brave and honorable service of the veterans who will tell their stories to the next generation, to make certain the hurtful division which occurred at home over Vietnam is never felt so deeply by American troops again.

***

And finally I want to personally thank each of the recipients of the Order of the Silver Rose for their proud service. I want to let them and their families know that I am behind them 100 percent, too. Our country is behind you 100 percent.

Thank you for your service, Gob bless you, and God bless America.