VVA Applauds Congress for the Passage of the National Medal of Honor Highway Act (S.1478/H.6451)
(Washington, D.C.) – “Vietnam Veterans of America applauds Congress for its swift passage of the National Medal of Honor Highway Act (S.1478/H.6451) to recognize the service and valor of all current and future Medal of Honor recipients,” said Jack McManus, VVA National President. “The designation of coast-to-coast US Highway 20, spanning 12 states for a total distance of 3,365 miles from Newport, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, as the National Medal of Honor Highway is a fitting acknowledgment of the extraordinary contributions of these brave servicemembers to our nation.
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military medal for valor and bravery, historically honoring the ‘bravest of the brave.’ Of the 60 surviving Medal of Honor recipients, 44 are Vietnam veterans. Nationwide recognition of their service and honoring of their sacrifice is of the utmost importance to VVA and to all Vietnam veterans,” said McManus. “The surviving Vietnam MOH recipients make up 73% of the total surviving recipients and represent an entire generation of Vietnam servicemembers who didn’t receive the welcome home and the recognition they deserved.”
VVA actively supported the passage of this legislation from the outset, and Dick Tobiason, lifetime VVA member, spearheaded the eight-year initiative. Tobiason, retired Army lieutenant colonel who served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft pilot, commented, “Memorials are important to help us remember what [our servicemembers] did for the world. That’s how we got our freedoms. We stand on their shoulders, and we want to protect their heritage and legacy.”
McManus concluded, “An important part of our work at VVA is to ensure that veterans are remembered and memorialized for their service and sacrifice. A unifying symbol for a sorely divided nation, a coast-to-coast National Medal of Honor Highway provides national recognition to honor veterans across America. VVA commends Congress on ensuring this historic recognition.”
