[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 70 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17873-17874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9156]



[[Page 17871]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 7660--National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
2003



Proclamation 7661--National D.A.R.E. Day, 2003
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 17873]]

                Proclamation 7660 of April 8, 2003

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's former prisoners of war (POWs) are national 
                heroes whose service to our country will never be 
                forgotten. These brave men and women who fought for 
                America and endured cruelties and deprivation as 
                prisoners of war helped to protect our Nation, 
                liberated millions of people from the threats of 
                tyranny and terror, and advanced the cause of freedom 
                worldwide.

                This year, our Nation commemorates the 50th anniversary 
                of the signing of the armistice to end armed conflict 
                in the Korean War. We remember Operation Little Switch, 
                conducted April through May 1953, that freed 149 
                American POWs, and Operation Big Switch, conducted 
                August through September 1953, which returned 3,597 
                Americans to our country. Finally, Operation Glory, 
                conducted July through November 1954, was responsible 
                for the return of the remains of 2,944 Americans from 
                North Korea. During this observance, we also recognize 
                and honor the more than 8,100 Americans still 
                unaccounted for from the Korean War.

                This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Operation 
                Homecoming, in which 591 American POWs from Vietnam 
                were returned. We also recognize and honor those 
                Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

                All of these individuals are to be honored for their 
                strength of character and for the difficulties they and 
                their families endured. From World War II, the Korean 
                War, and Vietnam, to the 1991 Gulf War, Operation Iraqi 
                Freedom, and other conflicts, our service men and women 
                have sacrificed much to secure freedom, defend the 
                ideals of our Nation, and free the oppressed. By 
                answering the call of duty and risking their lives to 
                protect others, these proud patriots continue to 
                inspire us today as we work with our allies to extend 
                peace, liberty, and opportunity to people around the 
                world.

                As we honor our former POWs, we are reminded of our 
                current POWs, captured in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We 
                will work to secure their freedom, and we pray for 
                their speedy and safe return. These brave men and women 
                in uniform follow in the footsteps of these former POWs 
                who placed country above self to advance peace in a 
                troubled world.

                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 April 9, 2003, as National 
                Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call upon all 
                the people of the United States to join me in 
                remembering former American prisoners of war by 
                honoring the memory of their sacrifices and in praying 
                for the safe return of our POWs. I also call upon 
                Federal, State, and local government officials and 
                private organizations to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 17874]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-9156
Filed 4-10-03; 11:02 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P