[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60099-60100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24464]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 25, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 60099]]

                Proclamation 7595 of September 19, 2002

                
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Throughout American history, many men and women have 
                bravely served in our military and sacrificed much to 
                preserve our country and protect the democratic ideals 
                that make our Nation a beacon of hope. Some of those 
                who answered the call to service were captured in 
                conflict and imprisoned by our enemies; and many remain 
                missing in action.

                Each year on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor 
                those Americans who were prisoners of war and recognize 
                them for the courage and determination they showed in 
                the face of unspeakable hardships. We also honor those 
                who remain unaccounted for, especially remembering the 
                sacrifices of their families who must courageously face 
                each day without knowing the fate of their loved ones.

                Nearly 60 years after the end of World War II, the fate 
                of more than 78,000 Americans who fought in that 
                conflict remains unknown. More than 8,100 from the 
                Korean War are missing, more than 120 from the Cold 
                War, more than 1,900 from the Vietnam War, and three 
                from the Gulf War. These Americans, who dedicated their 
                lives to preserving and protecting our freedoms, will 
                never be forgotten.

                On September 20, 2002, the flag of the National League 
                of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in 
                Southeast Asia will be flown over the White House, the 
                Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and 
                Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System 
                Headquarters, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 
                the Korean War Veterans Memorial, U.S. military 
                installations, national cemeteries, and other locations 
                across our country. With this observance, we reaffirm 
                our commitment to those who have suffered the horrors 
                of enemy captivity, to those who have yet to return 
                from battle, and to their families. We remain dedicated 
                to resolving discrepancy cases, achieving the fullest 
                possible accounting of our prisoners of war and missing 
                in action, and bringing them home with the honor and 
                dignity that they deserve.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 September 20, 2002, as 
                National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon all the 
                people of the United States to join me in honoring 
                former American prisoners of war who suffered the 
                hardships of enemy captivity, and in renewing our 
                commitment to those still missing. I also call upon 
                Federal, State, and local government officials and 
                private organizations to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 60100]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                nineteenth day of September, 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. 02-24464
Filed 9-24-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P