California's first official "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" Tuesday will not be recognized at many Sacramento-area schools because students are home on spring break.
Sacramento City, Folsom, San Juan and Twin Rivers - northern Sacramento County -- schools are closed this week, as are dozens of Elk Grove schools that are not on year-round schedules, according to a sampling of district offices.
Legislation to honor March 30 of each year as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" encouraged schools to observe it by conducting exercises to recognize the contributions and honor the sacrifices of U.S. veterans from the war.
Tuesday marks the 37th anniversary of the United States' withdrawal of its combat troops from Vietnam.
Assembly Bill 717, to create the annual day of special significance, was proposed by Republican Assemblyman Paul Cook of Yucca Valley and Democratic Assemblyman Ted Lieu of Torrance.
"I'm not glamorizing war but I think it's imperative for us to remember a group of individuals that has largely been forgotten," Cook said shortly after the bill's passage last September.
Sen. Robert Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, released a prepared statement Monday urging Californians of all ages to show gratitude to Vietnam veterans in whatever way they can.
"It is important for us, and to them, that we demonstrate our appreciation for their service with a smile, a salute, or even a warm embrace," Dutton said of Tuesday's special day in their honor.
"To all our veterans -- thank you, and God bless," he said.
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