[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 34859-34860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13003]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 1, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 34859]]

                Proclamation 9454 of May 26, 2016

                
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                With courage and a love of country that knows no 
                limits, America's men and women in uniform exemplify 
                patriotism at its core--stepping into harm's way to 
                protect our people and to safeguard the ideals that 
                have long sustained our democracy. Those who serve 
                under the stars and stripes embody the highest form of 
                citizenship, and on Memorial Day, we pay solemn tribute 
                to those brave Americans who laid down their lives to 
                defend our freedom.

                Since America's earliest days, proud patriots have 
                forged a safer, more secure Nation, and though 
                battlefields have changed and technology has evolved, 
                the selflessness of our service members has remained 
                steadfast. They have stepped forward when our country 
                was locked in revolution and civil war; fought threats 
                of fascism and terrorism; and led the way in securing 
                peace and stability around the globe. They have 
                sacrificed more than most of us could ever imagine--not 
                for glory or gratitude, but for causes greater than 
                themselves. In the children who replicate their courage 
                and strength, in the spouses and partners who forever 
                seek to mend their broken hearts, and in the parents 
                who mourn the absence of the sons and daughters they 
                raised, we are reminded of our enduring commitment to 
                do right by our fallen warriors and their families.

                Those who gave their last full measure of devotion for 
                the values that bind us as one people deserve our 
                utmost respect and gratitude. In recognizing those who 
                made the ultimate sacrifice, we pledge to never stop 
                working to fulfill our obligations to all members of 
                our Armed Forces so they know we stand beside them 
                every step of the way--not just when we need them, but 
                also when they need us.

                Today, and every day, let us remember the servicemen 
                and women we have lost, and let us honor them by 
                rededicating ourselves to strengthening our Nation's 
                promise. With love, grace, and reflection, let us honor 
                our fallen fellow Americans, known and unknown, who 
                sacrificed their freedom to ensure our own.

                In honor of all of our fallen service members, the 
                Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, 
                as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President 
                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 30, 2016, 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 during 
                which people may 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 request the Governors of the United 
                States and its Territories, and the appropriate 
                officials of

[[Page 34860]]

                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 sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-13003
 5-31-16; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P