Capitol Report

State Representative Danny Carroll

April 21 2005

On Monday of last week the Iowa House recognized veterans of the Vietnam War.  I want to dedicate this Capitol Report to all the veterans who served our country in that war.  Reprinted here are the comments that Representative Jeff Kaufmann of Cedar County gave during the ceremony.  He said it much better than I could have.

Sometimes the simplest thank you is the most sincere.  Sometimes a resolution with the most brevity is the most profound.  And sometimes the gratitude that emerges from the bottom of our hearts, comes later rather than sooner.  Mr. Speaker, this resolution represents all of the above. 

Vietnam veterans, welcome to the Iowa House of Representatives.  This afternoon it is truly your House.  We have gathered to say thank you.  At last we are here to say, “Well done patriots, and welcome home.”

I am a history professor and when I grade essays I tell my students to use correct punctuation.  In the past when we honored our Vietnam veterans we often used incorrect punctuation--we used commas when we should have used periods.  Many people have praised and honored our Vietnam heroes, but didn’t stop with a thank you--they used a comma and went on to criticize soldiers and sailors, injustices in the war, and poor military decisions.  We must always question and analyze history, but the sacrifice and bravery of all of you must not be a victim of that analysis.  Today we use a period.  We honor your sacrifice.  And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Period.

To you Vietnam veterans I am sorry there were no parades, no hugs of gratitude, and so few homecomings without controversy.  I hope that our resolution today, 40 years after the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and 30 years years after the end of the war, helps you to forget those unfortunate homecomings.  Welcome home veterans of Vietnam.  Period.

I know that in these intervening years we have lost some of you.  Some died in battle (they are on our memorial wall just outside the Capitol), some died of complications of Agent Orange, stress, and fatigue, and some died early of natural causes.

My prayer is that those veterans are watching us right now.  As they peer over the ramparts of heaven and gaze upon this beautiful chamber and their fellow comrades, they are content, and even happy.

In my prayer the sounds of our resolution and remarks drift to their heavenly home.  In my prayer they are so proud of today.  Not a loud boastful pride, but a quiet pride.  The kind that is as strong as the granite and marble of this Capitol building.

I know there are supposed to be no tears in heaven but today, in my prayer, there are a few gentle tears in their eyes.  And among our gathered heroes, a hushed whisper passes from one to the other.  For you see, today, my friends, their prayer has been answered.  We have remembered.

And as long as we continue to remember, then this resolution becomes a living, breathing entity.  Welcome home veterans of Vietnam.  And for the House of Representatives, the state of Iowa, and this nation we are eternally grateful.  And most importantly, the State of Iowa is proud of you.  Period.

You can reach me at home most evenings and weekends at 641-236-7043.  My home address is 244 400^th Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.  While at the Capitol, you can reach me at the House of Representatives switchboard at 515-281-3221 or by E-mail at danny.carroll@legis.state.ia.us.  My mailing address at the Capitol is House of Representatives, State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.