Veterans
Senator Hagel’s dedication to supporting and honoring veterans, along with preserving the memory of the Vietnam War and taking lessons from past wars, was a cornerstone of his work in the U.S. Senate. Given Hagel's background as Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration in 1981-1982 and a soldier in Vietnam in 1967-1968, this dedication is of no surprise. Learn more about Hagel's background in our online exhibit, Charles Timothy Hagel: A Life in Photographs.
Education, Employment, and Housing
Hagel-sponsored Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, signed into law on October 31, was Hagel's first bill to become law. 4 documents, Oct.-Nov. 1998. (5 pages)
Press release and statement, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act introduced by Senators Hagel and Max Cleland, July 16, 1997. (3 pages)
Two press releases, funding for an Omaha Veterans Home, Sept. 2002 and July 2003. (2 pages
"Hagel Introduces Veterans and Survivors Employment and Training Act," a bill introduced by Senators Hagel and Jack Reed May 3, 2007.
Press release and memos, Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (Webb-Hagel GI Bill) passed by the Senate, April-May 2008. (6 pages)
Healthcare
Quality of care, backlog, and wait times at the VA. 6 documents, 1997-2004. (7 pages)
"Persian Gulf Illness," May 9, 1997. (2 pages)
Conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Hagel's visit. 3 documents, Feb.-March 2007. (3 pages)
"Senate Passes 'Wounded Warriors' Act," July 12, 2007. (2 pages)
Remembering Vietnam
Hagel at the Library of Congress for the Veterans History Project, Nov. 8, 2004.
Hagel writes about his return trip to Vietnam in Aug. 1999. (2 pages)
Hagel remembers the Fall of Saigon on its 25th Anniversary, April 2000. (3 pages)
Press releases, 2001 and 2004, showing Hagel's involvement with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. (2 pages)
Press Releases and committee statement on proposed Education / Visitor's Center at the Vietnam Memorial. Hagel was a primary sponsor. 2000-2003 (10 pages)
Memo for remarks, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation Breakfast with teachers in town for the Teach Vietnam Teachers Network Conference, July 16, 2008.
Hagel broke ground with fellow veterans for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on March 26, 1982. He has maintained a connection with the Wall ever since through his involvement with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Corporate Council and by speaking at the Wall on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day and for anniversaries of the Wall's groundbreaking and dedication.
Hagel (far right) breaks ground for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C., March 26, 1982
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 15th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking, March 1997
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 15th Anniversary of its Dedication, May 1997
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 25th Anniversary, March 2007
Hagel and Colin Powell, 25th Anniversary, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 2007
Recognition of Veterans
"Paying Tribute to Those Who Served: World War II Memorial," May 26, 2004. (2 pages)
"Anne Batchelder Inducted into "Women in the Military Service for America Memorial," March 31, 2000.
"Senate Passes Bill to Honor Korean War Veterans," sponsored by Senators Hagel and Tom Daschle, July 25, 2003.
"Hagel Introduces Legislation Honoring Purple Heart Recipients," May 26, 2005.
Speech, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Convention, Aug. 22, 2000. (3 pages)
Address, Nebraska American Legion Annual Convention, Grand Island, NE, June 24, 2005. (8 pages)
Speaking text and press release, "Veterans Day Remarks at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial," 1997. (12 pages)
"The Lessons of Vietnam," Veteran's Day, 1999. (3 pages)
"Freedom is not Free," Veteran's Day, 2001. (2 pages)
"National Veterans Awareness Week," Veteran's Day, 2005. (2 pages)
Memorial Day
"Remembering Nebraska's Fallen Heroes," May 23, 2005. (2 pages)
National Moment of Remembrance press release and Nebraska Report, May 2001. (3 pages)
Memorial Day Observance, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, CNN transcript with Hagel's remarks and introduction by Jan Scruggs, May 28, 2001. (5 pages)
"A Living Memorial," May 21, 2003. (3 pages)
"Hagel Asks Nebraskans to Observe National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day," May 27, 2005. (2 pages)