WHEREAS, the Vietnam War Monument in Newport News, located near the Virginia War Museum in Huntington Park, has honored the service and sacrifices of the nation's veterans for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, the Vietnam War Monument was dedicated on August 1, 1992, and was created to honor the living, missing, and dead of the Vietnam War; thousands of Virginians served during the Vietnam War, and more than 1,300 made the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, in addition to honoring those who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War, the Vietnam War Monument in Newport News has helped heal the nation's wounds from that war; and

WHEREAS, the Vietnam War Monument is located on a circular plaza and consists of a four-sided stone pillar bearing the emblems of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, as well as a POW/MIA emblem; and

WHEREAS, the second component of the Vietnam War Monument is a cement pillar topped by an eternal flame, which symbolizes the hope for the return of the missing and a wish for peace to those who died; and

WHEREAS, the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Virginia War Monument plaza will be commemorated at September 14 - 17, 2017, and will be a time to honor, remember, and give thanks to all the men and women who honorably served during the Vietnam War, those who perished during and as a result of the war, Americans still missing from the Vietnam War, and all of their families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Vietnam War Monument in Newport News hereby be commended on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its dedication in 1992; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Vietnam War Monument Foundation, Inc., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the significance of the Vietnam War Monument in Newport News.