[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22019-22020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08710]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 22019]]


                Proclamation 9421 of April 8, 2016

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Under the flag of the United States, generations of 
                women and men, united in a common cause greater than 
                themselves, have served to defend the ideals that bind 
                us together as a Nation and that preserve our country 
                as a beacon of hope and freedom around the world. On 
                National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we 
                salute the selfless service members throughout our 
                history who gave of their own liberty to ensure ours, 
                and we renew our commitment to remaining a Nation 
                worthy of their extraordinary sacrifices.

                In wars and engagements since America's founding, brave 
                patriots have experienced indescribable suffering as 
                prisoners of war. Often physically and mentally 
                tortured, starved, and put through the worst most of us 
                could imagine, these heroes are owed a debt we can 
                never fully repay, and their families--who exhibited 
                tremendous fortitude in the face of grueling 
                uncertainty--are worthy of our profound gratitude. The 
                values of honor, courage, and selflessness that drive 
                our Armed Forces are particularly acute in those who 
                have been taken as prisoners of war, sustaining them 
                through days, weeks, and sometimes years of profound 
                hardship endured for the sake of securing the blessings 
                of liberty for all.

                America's former prisoners of war--and all who don our 
                uniform to keep us safe--have helped make our Nation 
                the strongest and most prosperous in the history of the 
                world. Our eternal obligation is to care for them and 
                uphold our everlasting promise to never leave our men 
                and women on the battlefield behind. Let us reaffirm 
                our adherence to these ideals and honor our former 
                prisoners of war by paying them the gratitude and 
                respect they deserve.

                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, 2016, 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 22020]]

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

[FR Doc. 2016-08710
Filed 4-12-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P