[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18111-18112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9846]



[[Page 18109]]

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Part X





The President





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Proclamation 7079--National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
1998
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 70 / Monday, April 13, 1998 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 18111]]

                Proclamation 7079 of April 9, 1998

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                1998

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Engraved on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in 
                Washington, D.C., are the words ``Freedom Is Not 
                Free.'' Generations of Americans who have served our 
                Nation in uniform know the truth of this inscription. 
                They have paid freedom's price by leaving behind their 
                homes, families, and civilian lives to serve America 
                around the globe. They have paid the price by suffering 
                injuries and even death. And some have paid the price 
                for our freedom by sacrificing their own as prisoners 
                of war.

                While in captivity, American prisoners of war have 
                served our Nation with the same valor, pride, honor, 
                and dedication as their comrades on the battlefield. 
                American POWS have struggled for their freedom, armed 
                with courage, wits, and an indomitable spirit. Enduring 
                long months or years of hunger, abuse, torture, 
                isolation, and the dreadful suspense of not knowing 
                when--or if--they would ever be released, they have 
                remained true to themselves and to our country.

                This year we commemorate the 25th anniversary of 
                Operation Homecoming, when we finally achieved the 
                release of our prisoners of war from captivity in 
                Southeast Asia. We also mark the anniversary of 
                Operations Big Switch and Little Switch some 45 years 
                ago, when Americans held captive during the Korean War 
                finally came home. As these heroes returned to the open 
                arms of their families and the grateful hearts of their 
                fellow Americans, we saw written on their faces their 
                deep love for our country and the faith, determination, 
                and sense of honor that had sustained them through 
                times of unimaginable suffering. We can never 
                adequately express our gratitude to those who have 
                served our Nation while prisoners of war or to their 
                families who experienced such anguish during years of 
                separation. But on this day, and throughout the year, 
                we can and should pay tribute to these extraordinary 
                American patriots, thank them for their service and 
                their sacrifice, and honor them always in our hearts.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 9, 1998, as National 
                Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to join me in remembering former American 
                prisoners of war who suffered the hardships of enemy 
                captivity. I also call upon Federal, State, and local 
                government officials and private organizations to 
                observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities.

[[Page 18112]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and 
                twenty-second.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 98-9846
Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P