[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 31935-31936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13508]



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Part IX





The President





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Proclamation 7681--Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2003
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 102 / Wednesday, May 28, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 31935]]

                Proclamation 7681 of May 22, 2003

                
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Memorial Day, America undertakes its solemn duty to 
                remember the sacred list of brave Americans who have 
                sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and the 
                security of our Nation. By honoring these proud 
                Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen 
                lost throughout our country's history, we renew our 
                commitment to upholding the democratic ideals they 
                fought and died to preserve.

                Each Memorial Day, we pray for peace throughout the 
                world, remembering what was gained and what was lost 
                during times of war. From the bravery of the men at 
                Valley Forge, to the daring of Normandy, the courage of 
                Iwo Jima, and the steady resolve in Afghanistan and 
                Iraq, our men and women in uniform have won for us 
                every hour that we live in freedom. During this year's 
                observance, we particularly recognize the courageous 
                spirit of the men and women in our Nation's Armed 
                Forces who are working with our coalition partners to 
                restore civil order, provide critical humanitarian aid, 
                and renew Afghanistan and Iraq. As we honor those who 
                have served and have been lost, we better understand 
                the meaning of patriotism and citizenship, and we 
                pledge that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

                Throughout our history, the decency, character, and 
                idealism of our military troops have turned enemies 
                into allies and oppression into hope. In all our 
                victories, American soldiers have fought to liberate, 
                not to conquer; and today, the United States joins with 
                a strong coalition in the noble cause of liberty and 
                peace for the world. On this day, America honors her 
                own, but we also recognize the shared victories and 
                hardships of our allied forces who have served and 
                fallen alongside our troops.

                The noble sacrifices of our service men and women will 
                not be forgotten. Every name, every life is a loss to 
                our military, to our Nation, and to their loved ones. 
                Americans stand with the families who grieve, and we 
                share in their great sorrow and great pride. There will 
                be no homecoming on this Earth for those lost in 
                battle, but we know that this reunion will one day 
                come.

                In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, 
                by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as 
                amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to 
                issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
                United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of 
                prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on 
                that day when the people of the United States might 
                unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, 
                has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. 
                local time on that day as a time for all Americans to 
                observe the National Moment of Remembrance.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial 
                Day, May 26, 2003, as a day of prayer for permanent 
                peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each 
                locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite 
                in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the 
                National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. 
                local time on Memorial Day. I urge the press, radio, 
                television, and all other media to participate in these 
                observances.

[[Page 31936]]

                I also request the Governors of the United States and 
                the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate 
                officials of all units of government, to direct that 
                the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this 
                Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval 
                vessels throughout the United States, and in all areas 
                under its jurisdiction and control. I also request the 
                people of the United States to display the flag at 
                half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon 
                period.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-second day of May, 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. 03-13508
Filed 5-27-03; 8:48 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P