[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 214 (Monday, November 4, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56873-56874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28505]



[[Page 56871]]


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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 6950--Veterans Day, 1996

Executive Order 13022--Administration of the Midway Islands
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 214 / Monday, November 4, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 56873]]

                Proclamation 6950 of October 31, 1996

                
Veterans Day, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                This Veterans Day, Americans enjoy the fruits of peace, 
                freedom, and prosperity in a world where too many must 
                still struggle to live their lives free from conflict, 
                violence, and repression.

                As leaders in the fight for liberty, we have sought to 
                advance the cause of freedom and democracy to people 
                all over the world. The credit for our own freedom, as 
                well as our continued security, belongs overwhelmingly 
                to the men and women who have served in our Nation's 
                Armed Forces--our veterans. Had they not been there 
                yesterday, were they not with us today, our world would 
                be far different.

                Today we salute their service, honor their sacrifice, 
                thank them for supporting this Nation in every hour of 
                need. And we acknowledge that freedom's cost continues 
                long after the guns fall silent. Many of our veterans 
                bear the disabilities and scars of military service. 
                The families of others--who never returned from their 
                service--live always with a profound sense of loss. It 
                is our duty to remember what our veterans have done and 
                to uphold our commitments to them and their families.

                As we mark the past achievements of our veterans, let 
                us remember that they are a vital part of our present 
                and future. Of the 40 million who have served in 
                America's military since the Revolutionary War, 26.5 
                million are with us today--not distant historical 
                footnotes, but as close as a father or mother, brother 
                or sister, grandfather or grandmother, friend or 
                neighbor.

                Their tradition of service extends beyond the 
                battlefield and the barracks. Most veterans in civilian 
                life continue devoting their energies to the service of 
                their country and communities. They are civic-minded 
                role models who challenge and inspire our young people. 
                They are volunteers who work for neighbors in need. 
                They represent what is best in the American spirit.

                That is why we must help them make the transition from 
                military to civilian careers and empower them with the 
                opportunities to use their training, discipline, and 
                motivation in good and rewarding jobs. We owe them as 
                well a guarantee that we will continue to defend the 
                American ideals for which they have served and 
                sacrificed. As the strongest force for peace and 
                freedom in the world, we recognize our responsibility 
                to maintain a military capability second to none.

                In respect and recognition of the contributions our 
                service men and women have made in defense of America 
                and to advance the cause of peace, the Congress has 
                provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each 
                year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to 
                recognize America's veterans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, 
                November 11, 1996, as Veterans Day. I urge all 
                Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our 
                veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and 
                private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local 
                officials to display the flag of the United States and 
                to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in 
                their communities.

[[Page 56874]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-28505
Filed 11-01-96; 11:04 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P