[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 21815-21816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08729]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 70 / Thursday, April 11, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 21815]]


                Proclamation 8956 of April 8, 2013

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                From the days of the Revolutionary War to the trials of 
                our times, America has been blessed with an unbroken 
                chain of patriots who have always stepped forward to 
                serve. Whenever our country has come under attack, our 
                men and women in uniform have risen to its defense. And 
                whenever our freedoms have been threatened, they have 
                responded with unyielding resolve--sometimes trading 
                their liberty to secure our own.

                Today, we pay tribute to former prisoners of war who 
                made that profound sacrifice. Caught behind enemy lines 
                and stripped of their rights, these service members 
                endured trials few of us can imagine. Many lost their 
                lives. But in reflecting on the tragic price they paid, 
                we also remember how their courage lit up even the 
                darkest night. Where others might have given up or 
                broken down, they dug in. They summoned an iron will. 
                In their strength, we see the measure of their 
                character; in their sacrifice, we see the spirit of a 
                Nation.

                As we express our gratitude to heroes who gave so much 
                for their country, we remain mindful that no one 
                gesture is enough to truly honor their service. For 
                that, we must recommit to serving our veterans as well 
                as they served us--not just today, but every day. We 
                must pursue a full accounting of those who are still 
                missing. And for service members who have come home, we 
                must never stop fighting to give them the stability and 
                the support they have earned. That is the promise we 
                renew today--for former prisoners of war, for their 
                families, and for every American who has sworn an oath 
                to protect and defend.

                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 April 9, 2013, as 
                National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call 
                upon all Americans to observe this day of remembrance 
                by honoring all American prisoners of war, our service 
                members, and our veterans. I also call upon Federal, 
                State, and local government officials and organizations 
                to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities.

[[Page 21816]]

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

[FR Doc. 2013-08729
Filed 4-10-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3