[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49551-49552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19395]



[[Page 49549]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7578--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 146 / Tuesday, July 30, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 49551]]

                Proclamation 7578 of July 26, 2002

                
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Fifty-two years ago, armed forces from North Korea 
                shattered the peace as they crossed the 38th Parallel 
                and invaded South Korea. A 22-country force assembled 
                to face this Cold War challenge, and the majority of 
                them were Americans. The brave men and women of this 
                coalition fought courageously to defend a population 
                facing tyranny and aggression, and they succeeded in 
                defeating the invading forces.

                During the Korean War, approximately 1.8 million 
                members of the United States Armed Forces fought in 
                places such as Pork Chop Hill, Pusan Perimeter, and the 
                Chosin Reservoir. During the intense fighting, 
                approximately 34,000 American lives were lost in 
                combat; 92,000 were wounded; and more than 8,000 listed 
                as missing in action or taken prisoner. Their 
                distinguished service reminds us of the words engraved 
                on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington--
                ``Freedom Is Not Free.''

                As we face the challenges of a new era and a new war, 
                we look to America's Korean War veterans for their 
                example of dedication and sacrifice in defending 
                freedom. These men and women faced a formidable 
                adversary and endured harsh and bitter conditions in 
                upholding our Nation's heritage of valor, tenacity, and 
                honor during this important stand against Communist 
                aggression. For their gallantry in action, 131 
                servicemen earned our Nation's highest military award, 
                the Medal of Honor. More than 90 of them received the 
                award posthumously.

                Forty-nine years ago, the Military Armistice Agreement 
                ended the fighting and stopped the spread of Communism 
                in Korea. In order to thank and honor veterans of the 
                Korean War and their families, America will commemorate 
                the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War through November 
                11, 2003. Today, as the Republic of Korea stands as a 
                strong, democratic, and progressive nation, we thank 
                our Korean War veterans for serving our Nation and the 
                world with courage and distinction. These patriots 
                advanced the principles and ideals upon which our 
                Nation was founded, and they helped promote liberty, 
                opportunity, and hope.

                The Congress, by Public Law 104-19, as amended (36 
                U.S.C. 127), has designated July 27, 2002, 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, 
                2002, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I 
                call upon the people of the United States 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, 2002, in memory of the Americans 
                who died as a result of their service in Korea.

[[Page 49552]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-19395
Filed 7-29-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P