[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 39403-39404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19112]



[[Page 39401]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Proclamation 7457--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2001
 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 39403]]

                Proclamation 7457 of July 25, 2001

                
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The sounds of war thundered as a furious struggle took 
                place 51 years ago in a country unknown to many 
                Americans. The battleground that was Korea in the years 
                1950 to 1953 tested the resolve, courage, and 
                commitment of an America barely 5 years beyond the 
                tremendous sacrifices of World War II. Undaunted, 
                America again marshaled her forces to defend a 
                population facing tyranny and aggression.

                Freedom for the Republic of Korea was purchased with 
                deep sacrifice and with honor. In 38 months of intense 
                fighting, 33,665 Americans gave their lives in battle. 
                Our Nation's highest military award, the Medal of 
                Honor, was awarded to 131 members of the U.S. Armed 
                Forces, more than 90 of them posthumously. Yet the 
                challenge of Korea was not just a formidable adversary, 
                but also a harsh and forbidding climate. The 1.8 
                million service men and women who served there suffered 
                bitter winters that would claim casualties approaching 
                those inflicted by guns, shrapnel, and bayonets. When 
                the Military Armistice Agreement, effective 48 years 
                ago, silenced the guns on the Korean peninsula, it 
                marked the end of the world's first determined stand 
                against Communist aggression. It signaled the beginning 
                of the Cold War, and foreshadowed the eventual 
                dismantling of global Communism.

                Today, the liberties defended there half a century ago 
                are the inheritance of 47 million citizens of a 
                democratic, prosperous, and progressive Republic of 
                Korea. The young Americans who fought and died there 
                kept faith with a just cause, and in so doing, kept 
                faith with the principles and ideals on which our 
                Nation was founded. They immeasurably blessed the 
                Republic of Korea and brought great honor to our Nation 
                as a defender of freedom. Because of these truths, we 
                recognize the Korean War for what it was and is--not a 
                ``forgotten war,'' but a remembered victory.

                The Congress, by passing Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 
                127), has designated July 27, 2001, as ``National 
                Korean War Veterans Armistice Day'' and has authorized 
                and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of this day.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 27, 
                2001, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I 
                call upon all Americans to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and 
                give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans. I 
                also ask Federal departments and agencies and 
                interested groups, organizations, and individuals to 
                fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on July 
                27, 2001, in memory of the Americans who died as a 
                result of their service in Korea.

[[Page 39404]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fifth day of July, 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.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-19112
Filed 7-27-01; 8:47 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P