[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25383-25384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12509]



[[Page 25381]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 8385--Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 27, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 25383]]

                Proclamation 8385 of May 22, 2009

                
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 For over two centuries, Americans have defended our 
                Nation's security and protected our founding principles 
                of democracy and equal justice under law. On Memorial 
                Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price in 
                defense of these freedoms.

                 Members of the United States Armed Forces have placed 
                our Nation's safety before their own for generations. 
                From the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord to 
                the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, these 
                brave patriots have taken on great risks to keep us 
                safe, and they have served with honor and distinction. 
                All Americans who have enjoyed the blessings of peace 
                and liberty remain in their debt.

                 As we remember the selfless service of our fallen 
                heroes, we pray for God's grace upon them. We also pray 
                for all of our military personnel and veterans, their 
                families, and all those who have lost loved ones in the 
                defense of our freedom and safety.

                 Today, as we commend their deeds, we also bear a heavy 
                burden of responsibility to ensure that their 
                sacrifices will not have been in vain. This means that, 
                as we uphold the ideals for which many have given their 
                last full measure of devotion, the United States must 
                never waver in its determination to defend itself, to 
                be faithful in protecting liberty at home and abroad, 
                and to pursue peace in the world.

                 In respect for their dedication and service to 
                America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved 
                on May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), 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 3:00 p.m. local 
                time on that day as a time for all Americans to 
                observe, in their own way, the National Moment of 
                Remembrance.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial 
                Day, May 25, 2009, 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, websites, 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.

[[Page 25384]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-12509
Filed 5-26-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P