[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60279-60280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24532]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60279]]


                Proclamation 8872 of September 28, 2012

                
Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                From the revolution that gave life to our Republic to 
                the trials of our times, our men and women in uniform 
                have put themselves in harm's way to defend the people 
                they love and the land they cherish. Their actions 
                attest not only to the depth of their sacrifice, but 
                also to a belief in their country so profound they were 
                willing to give their lives for it. Today, we pay 
                solemn tribute to all who did. Sons and daughters, 
                fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, they were all 
                patriots--and with a devotion to duty that goes without 
                equal, these proud Americans gave of themselves until 
                they had nothing more to give.

                As a grateful Nation honors our fallen service members, 
                so do we honor the families who keep their memory 
                burning bright. They are parents who face the loss of a 
                child, spouses who carry an emptiness that cannot be 
                filled, children who know sorrow that defies 
                comprehension. The grief they hold in their hearts is a 
                grief most cannot fully know. But as fellow Americans, 
                we must lend our strength to those families who have 
                given so much for our country. Their burdens are ones 
                that no one should have to bear alone, and it is up to 
                all of us to live our lives in a way worthy of their 
                sacrifice.

                On this day of remembrance, let us rededicate ourselves 
                to upholding the sacred trust we share with our Gold 
                Star families and the heroes we have laid to rest. Let 
                us always remember that the blessings we enjoy as free 
                people in a free society came at a dear cost. Let us 
                hold the memories of our fallen close to our hearts, 
                and let us mark each day by heeding the example they 
                set. Finally, let us forever keep faith with our men 
                and women in uniform, our veterans, and our military 
                families by serving them as well as they have served 
                us. Our Union endures because of their courage and 
                selflessness, and today, we resolve anew to show them 
                the care and support they so deeply deserve.

                The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 
                23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1985 as amended), has designated the 
                last Sunday in September as ``Gold Star Mother's Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 30, 2012, 
                as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day. I call upon all 
                Government officials to display the flag of the United 
                States over Government buildings on this special day. I 
                also encourage the American people to display the flag 
                and hold appropriate ceremonies as a public expression 
                of our Nation's sympathy and respect for our Gold Star 
                Mothers and Families.

[[Page 60280]]

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

[FR Doc. 2012-24532
Filed 10-2-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3