[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 64757-64758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22828]



[[Page 64755]]

Vol. 81

Tuesday,

No. 182

September 20, 2016

Part VIII





The President





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Proclamation 9495--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2016
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 182 / Tuesday, September 20, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 9495 of September 15, 2016

                
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For centuries, courageous members of our Armed Forces 
                have embodied the best of America with devotion and 
                patriotism. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we 
                pause to remember our servicemen and women who never 
                returned home. The hardship experienced by prisoners of 
                war and by the family members of those who have gone 
                missing in action is unimaginable to most Americans; it 
                is our country's solemn obligation to bring these 
                heroes back to the land they served to defend, and to 
                support the families who, each day, carry on without 
                knowing the peace of being reunited with their loved 
                ones.

                The United States does not leave anyone behind, and we 
                do not forget those who remain missing. We will never 
                stop working to bring home those who gave everything 
                for their country, nor cease in our pursuit of the 
                fullest possible accounting for all who are missing. We 
                are working to fulfill this promise by strengthening 
                communication with the families of those service 
                members missing or taken prisoner. And as Commander in 
                Chief, I am committed to living up to this 
                responsibility.

                The men and women of our Armed Forces face unthinkable 
                conditions and bear the painful cost of war. Theirs is 
                a debt we can never fully repay, though we will 
                continue striving to remain worthy of their sacrifice. 
                In honor of those who have not yet come home, and the 
                families who struggle with the fear of unknown fate, we 
                renew our fierce commitment to our patriots in uniform 
                and pledge to do everything we can to bring those 
                missing or held prisoner home.

                On September 16, 2016, the stark black and white banner 
                symbolizing America's Missing in Action and Prisoners 
                of War will be flown over the White House; the United 
                States Capitol; the Departments of State, Defense, and 
                Veterans Affairs; the Selective Service System 
                Headquarters; the World War II Memorial; the Korean War 
                Veterans Memorial; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; 
                United States post offices; national cemeteries; and 
                other locations across our country. We raise this flag 
                as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always 
                remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

                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 16, 2016, 
                as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I urge all 
                Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance 
                with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 64758]]

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

[FR Doc. 2016-22828
Filed 9-19-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P