Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Rescinding and Replacing Resolution No. 5244, Designating March 29 Annually as Vietnam War Veterans Day and Establishing a Recognition Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park.
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Council Member Carlos Manzo;
Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho
Prepared by*: Christine Cordon, City Manager
*Staff reports prepared by staff on behalf of members of the City Council do not reflect the opinions of staff and are generated in collaboration with the requesting council member(s).
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Consider the request to adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NO. 5244, DESIGNATING MARCH 29 ANNUALLY AS ‘VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY’ AND ESTABLISHING A RECOGNITION CEREMONY AT SID GOLDSTEIN FREEDOM PARK,” and provide direction.
BACKGROUND
This item is being requested by Council Member Carlos Manzo (District 2) and seconded by Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho (District 3).
At the February 28, 2024 meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5244 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, RECOGNIZING MARCH 29 ANNUALLY AS VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY AND ESTABLISHING A RECOGNITION CEREMONY” (Attachment 1). Resolution No. 5244 would honor all Vietnam War veterans at a reception to be held annually at the second City Council meeting in March. This event would be an open invitation to all American and South Vietnamese Vietnam War veterans.
After further consideration of concerns expressed during the meeting and feedback received immediately after the meeting from members of the community, including decorated Vietnam War veterans, Council Member Manzo and Vice Mayor Ho are requesting that Resolution No. 5244 be rescinded and replaced with a new resolution that will appropriately honor Vietnam War veterans.
The proposed resolution (Attachment 2) would recognize March 29 annually as “Vietnam War Veterans Day,” consistent with the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 that recognized March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day (Attachment 3); and to specifically honor American Vietnam War veterans on this day.
On March 29, 1973, the last American combat troops left Vietnam after 12 years, and the following year in a proclamation dated February 26, 1974, President Richard Nixon proclaimed March 29, 1974 as a day to honor the American Vietnam War veterans who returned home. Over the decades, ceremonies were held in honor of “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” on March 29 or 30. In 2017, Congress passed the National Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Day Act, recognizing March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Resolution No. 5244 creates an inconsistency with the original intent of “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 by combining the honor of all Vietnam War veterans in Westminster, and not just American Vietnam War veterans, on a nationally recognized day specifically for American Vietnam War veterans. Resolution No. 5244 also diminishes the respect to all Vietnam War veterans when honored as a combined event.
Therefore, Council Member Manzo and Vice Mayor Ho are requesting that Vietnam War Veterans Day in Westminster be reserved to honor only American Vietnam War veterans and their families on March 29. To commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the proposed resolution includes the establishment of an annual ceremony to be held on March 29 at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park. The ceremony, open to the public, would take place in the daytime and include a formal program, seating, speakers, and other components similar to that of the Black April ceremony held annually.
Alternatively, Council Member Manzo and Vice Mayor Ho request that the City Council consider selecting a separate date to honor the South Vietnamese Vietnam War veterans, or Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), many of which reside in Westminster. While an alternative date is not currently being presented, Council Member Manzo and Vice Mayor Ho are open to suggestions on a date that could be agreed upon by the City Council. If upon the discussion, the City Council chooses a date other than April 30 (currently reserved for Black April), direction must be provided to staff to present a separate resolution to affirm the decision.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be a cost associated with event infrastructure such as tables, chairs, canopies, and audio; staff; miscellaneous supplies and printing; advertising and marketing; Honor Guard. Based on an hour-long ceremony with approximately 200 in attendance, the estimated cost is $6,500. This cost estimate does not include any stipends for guest speakers or other expenses that may arise. This cost will also increase in the event that there are more in attendance or the event is longer. This will be expended from City Council - Special Department Expense account 10000-44020.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
If the City Council adopts the resolution, a ceremony to honor American Vietnam War veterans consistent with National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be held on March 29 at a time to be determined at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 5244, Adopted February 28, 2024
2. Proposed Resolution
3. Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 (PUBLIC LAW 115-15-MAR. 28, 2017)
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager