[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 213 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 55555-55556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27717]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 213 / Friday, November 2, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 55555]]

                Proclamation 7491 of October 30, 2001

                
Veterans Day, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the signers of 
                the Declaration of Independence declared that ``all Men 
                are created equal, that they are endowed by their 
                Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among 
                these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of 
                Happiness.''

                Throughout the course of American history, courageous 
                men and women have taken up arms to secure, defend, and 
                maintain these core principles upon which our Nation's 
                freedoms depend. On September 11, 2001, terrorists 
                ruthlessly attacked our land and these freedoms. The 
                terrorists' deluded attempt to assail our spirit 
                failed, and our Nation's response reveals that the 
                spirit of freedom is as strong as ever. Our troops are 
                now fighting overseas to defeat terrorism, and, in that 
                effort, they follow in the footsteps of the 48 million 
                men and women who, since our Nation's founding, have 
                stepped forward to defend our land.

                Today, there are more than 25 million living veterans 
                who served our Nation in times of peace and war. Many 
                of them willingly entered harm's way to fight for our 
                freedoms. These veterans have diverse religious beliefs 
                and come from varying backgrounds and ethnicities. By 
                their service, they kept America strong, and they have 
                protected our way of life from tyranny's grip for over 
                two centuries. At this moment, men and women of the 
                Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are 
                serving around the world. They represent our resolute 
                dedication to achieving a lasting peace out of the new 
                challenges and threats of the 21st century.

                On Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the 
                sacrifices of all of those who have put on the uniform 
                to serve in the United States military. Let us honor 
                our veterans, who proved their heroism and love of 
                country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg to 
                Iwo Jima and the Persian Gulf. They consistently 
                defended our ideals across the globe; and they continue 
                to inspire those who defend America today, half a world 
                away. More than a million have died in service to 
                America; and more than a million and a half have been 
                wounded. Some sustained serious injuries in combat and 
                now live with disabilities. Our Nation will always be 
                grateful for the noble sacrifices made by these 
                veterans. We can never adequately repay them. But we 
                can honor and respect them for their service.

                As we consider the sacrifices and efforts of our 
                veterans, we must never forget that freedom comes at a 
                cost. Therefore, I ask all schools to observe November 
                11 through November 17, 2001, as National Veterans 
                Awareness Week, and to invite a veteran to speak at 
                their school. This ``Lessons in Liberty'' initiative 
                will serve to honor America's veterans, while reminding 
                young people of the strong principles upon which our 
                Nation is founded. Our veterans have much to share with 
                our young people about liberty, patriotism, democracy, 
                and independence. They are living examples of the 
                timeless truth that freedom is not free. I call upon 
                our veterans to serve our country in a different way, 
                by teaching a new generation of young Americans the 
                importance of the liberties they helped secure.

[[Page 55556]]

                In respect and recognition of the contributions our 
                service men and women have made to the cause of peace 
                and freedom, 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 honor veterans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 
                11, 2001, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to 
                observe November 11 through November 17, 2001, as 
                National Veterans Awareness Week. 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. I invite civic and fraternal 
                organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, 
                unions, and the media to support this national 
                observance with suitable commemorative expressions and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of October, 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. 01-27717
Filed 11-1-01; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P