Rep. Joe Neguse honors and thanks Colorado Vietnam veterans

Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat who represents Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, is giving Vietnam veterans the welcome dwelling they did not obtain after they returned from struggle 50 years in the past.

The U.S. Home Assistant Minority Chief held a Congressional Commemoration Ceremony in Longmont Saturday, the place he introduced pins and certificates to almost 30 native veterans, together with Purple Coronary heart recipient Terry Rizzuti.

The previous Marine was the keynote speaker for the occasion. Like so many Vietnam veterans, he was met with hostility and scorn when he got here dwelling from struggle. It wasn’t till he started writing that he was in a position to course of the anger and anguish. One among his books, he says, is now taught at 5 universities.

“My work could solely be a tiny drop in an enormous bucket of all that’s out there by means of struggle analysis materials however, by God, it is my drop and I am pleased with it,” Rizzuti advised CBS Colorado final yr.

Neguse says what occurred to Vietnam veterans is a stain on our nation and he desires to set the file straight.

“We’re right here to say the ‘Thanks’ that it’s best to have obtained once you first got here dwelling. And we’re right here to increase our deepest apologies that it took till this level so that you can obtain the recognitions that you just so deeply deserve,” he stated in a ready assertion.

The Congressman says the ceremony is an opportunity to not solely honor the veterans however join them to providers. He has carried a variety of payments to fund packages that assist veterans with every thing from housing to well being care to job coaching.

In December, President Biden signed Neguse’s Psychological Well being for Navy Households Act into regulation, which expands entry to counseling and psychological well being providers for army households.