[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 104 (Friday, May 28, 2004)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 30813-30814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12403]



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Part VIII





The President





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Proclamation 7791--Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2004
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 104 / Friday, May 28, 2004 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 7791 of May 26, 2004

                
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2004

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For more than two centuries, Americans have been called 
                to defend the founding ideals of our democracy. On 
                Memorial Day, a grateful Nation remembers the proud 
                patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of 
                liberty's blessings.

                From the opening battles of the American Revolution 
                through the turmoil of the Civil War, to World War I, 
                World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, to the Persian Gulf 
                and today's operations in the war on terror in 
                Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world, the members of 
                our military have built a tradition of honorable and 
                faithful service. As we observe Memorial Day, we 
                remember the more than one million Americans who have 
                died to preserve our freedom, the more than 140,000 
                citizens who were prisoners of war, and all those who 
                were declared missing in action. We also honor our 
                veterans for their dedication to America and their 
                sacrifice.

                This year, we honor many heroes by observing the 60th 
                anniversary of D-Day on the beaches of Normandy, and by 
                dedicating the National World War II Memorial in 
                Washington, D.C. In a radio address on June 6, 1944, 
                President Franklin Roosevelt described these service 
                members as the ``pride of our Nation,'' who struggled 
                to preserve our civilization. The fallen from that 
                fateful day and that war will always be remembered. 
                They hold a cherished place in the history of the 
                United States and in the memories of the people they 
                liberated.

                Today, all who wear the uniform of the United States 
                are serving at a crucial hour in history, and each has 
                answered a great call to serve our Nation on the front 
                lines of freedom. As we continue to fight terrorism and 
                promote peace and freedom, let us pray for the safety 
                and strength of our troops, for God's blessing on them 
                and their families, and for those who have lost loved 
                ones.

                On this Memorial Day, we honor all of our fallen 
                soldiers, their commitment to our country, and their 
                legacy of patriotism and sacrifice. By giving their 
                lives in the cause of freedom, these heroes have 
                protected and inspired all Americans.

                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 31, 2004, 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

[[Page 30814]]

                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.

                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-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand four, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 04-12403
Filed 5-27-04; 11:22 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P