011545Z MAY 75 ZFF-3
FM DA WASH DC (CALLAWAY SENDS)
TO AIG 7406
ARSTAF
BT
UNCLAS
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY
THE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM HAS NOW ENDED. WITH THAT COMES AN END TO ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE GREAT HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY. WHILE THE OUTCOME IS CERTAINLY NOT AS WE HAD HOPED, THE ARMY CAN BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF ITS ROLE IN ASSISTING THE BRAVE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AND FREEDOM. THE SACRIFICES MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL THE ARMED FORCES IN THIS EFFORT UNQUESTIONABLY WERE GREATER THAN ANY OTHER SEGMENT OF OUR SOCIETY. WHILE WE ARE ALL SADDENED BY THE OUTCOME, OUR INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM WAS NOT NAUGHT. MANY VALUABLE LESSONS WERE LEARNED THAT WILL BE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE TO US AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE THE LAST ARMY UNITS LEFT SOUTH VIETNAM. THOUGH SMALLER, TODAY'S ARMY IS MANNED WITH QUALITY MEN AND WOMEN, ALL OF WHOM ARE VOLUNTEERS. OUR UNITS ARE WELL TRAINED AND EQUIPPED AND ARE COMBAT READY. WE ARE PREPARED TO MEET ANY CHALLENGE IF CALLED UPON BY THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE. RATHER THAN LOOKING TO THE PAST, I ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO LOOK TO THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE FUTURE. WITH CONTINUING DEDICATION, SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE, TODAY'S ARMY WILL BE THE FINEST IN THE NATION'S HISTORY.

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#0276

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