The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to authorize the inclusion of the names within one year of enactment. It also involves consultation with several authorities to address spatial limitations on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. This step underscores the importance of proper commemoration and acknowledges the significance of every member lost in military service, thus impacting the way veteran memorials are managed and organized.
Summary
House Bill 3826, known as the USS Frank E. Evans Act, seeks to honor the crew members of the USS Frank E. Evans who were killed on June 3, 1969, by including their names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. This bill represents a commitment to recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by these servicemen, providing their families and fellow veterans with a long-overdue acknowledgment of their loss. By mandating the inclusion of these names, the bill ensures that their legacy is preserved within one of the nation's most revered memorials.
Contention
One notable aspect of the bill is the way it addresses potential logistical challenges around adding additional names to the Memorial Wall. The bill explicitly states that the Commemorative Works Act does not apply to the activities required to include these names, allowing for a more flexible approach in recognizing fallen servicemen. This exemption could open discussions on similar future initiatives, as it sets a precedent for how military commemorations can be adapted to include newly identified casualties.
A concurrent resolution urging the 118th Congress to take favorable action on S. 849 and H.R. 7972, to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall the names of the lost crew members of the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans.
A concurrent resolution urging the 119th Congress to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall the names of the lost crew members of the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans.