1.
GV PAN Graves (3 shots)
0.21

2.
CV & SV President Ford taking salute after laying wreaths
0.34

3.
GV & SV President Ford speaking
1.04

4.
GV Congregation applauding after President's speech (4 shots)
1.20


MR. FORD: "Too often those who failed in their duty have monopolised the headlines and distorted the image of their generation. I intend to see to it that the silent heroes -- the more than six-and-a-half-million Americans who served their country in the Vietnam era with quiet courage -- are not forgotten."




Initials BB/1947 NC/TB/BB/1957


TELERECORDING original colour available on 10796/74 71ft

This film includes a segment of President Ford's speech.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: President Ford on Monday (28 October) said he will seek to provide jobs and better hospitals for Americans who fought in Vietnam without (what he called) "the moral support" of their nation.

President Ford was speaking at a 'Veterans' Day' ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington.

He said he had instructed Federal Government Agencies to give work to unemployed Vietnam Veterans and he promised action would be taken on Veterans Administration hospitals, many of which are overcrowded.

The President has recently come under fire for the high veteran unemployment rate, hospital overcrowding and lack of proper care for disabled veterans.

President Ford gave no indication of whether he would authorise an increase of 23 per cent in spending for G.I. benefits. A bill to provide this increase has passed through Congress. But, Democrat leaders -- apparently rearing a Presidential veto -- decided not to submit the bill to the President until after Congress reconvenes next month.