For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 21, 2001
President Proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2001
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The noble ideals that became our Nation's constitutional foundation were formed over two centuries ago in the hearts of courageous patriots who risked their lives in the name of liberty and justice. Throughout our history, American patriots have risen to answer the call when the enemies of freedom have jeopardized our liberties. Our military history is replete with heroes who put love of country above their own well-being. In answering the call to defend our ideals, generations of brave Americans have left home and family to protect our great Nation, some never to return.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is
notably significant for many American families. It reminds
us of the men and women who withstood great hardship while imprisoned
by our Nation's enemies; and it reminds us of those still missing,
loved ones lost at war but whose fate is not yet fully
known. We will not forget these patriots who were willing to
give their all to preserve and protect our freedoms.
Nearly 50,000 former POWs live among us,
including those held captive during World War II, the Korean War, the
Vietnam War, throughout the Cold War era, and during Operation Desert
Storm. We owe an incalculable debt of gratitude to these
quiet heroes who displayed great honor and indomitable wills and who
sacrificed so much for our Nation.
To the families of those who are still
missing, we renew our unwavering commitment and determination to obtain
the fullest possible accounting for them, including their recovery or
repatriation and the identification of the remains of those who have
died.
On September 21, 2001, the flag of the
National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in
Southeast Asia will be flown over the White House, the Capitol, the
Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective
Service System Headquarters, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
the Korean War Veterans Memorial, U.S. Military installations, national
cemeteries, and other locations across our country. This
observance will serve as a powerful reminder to all Americans that we
will always keep faith with those who served our Nation with honor,
integrity, and great sacrifice, remembering those still missing and
honoring those who were imprisoned during war.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me
by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim September 21, 2001, as National POW/MIA Recognition
Day. I call upon all Americans to join me in honoring former
American prisoners of war who suffered the hardships of enemy captivity
and in renewing our commitment to those still missing in
action. I call upon Federal, State, and local government
officials and private organizations to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand this twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
|