[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 43663-43664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20004]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 43663]]


                Proclamation 9638 of September 13, 2017

                
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2017

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Americans are blessed with many freedoms thanks to the 
                hard-earned battle victories and tremendous sacrifices 
                of our military men and women. The members of our Armed 
                Forces shine a light of freedom throughout the world, 
                and as we celebrate our returning heroes, we also 
                remember our heroes who never returned home. On 
                National POW/MIA Recognition Day, our Nation recognizes 
                all American prisoners of war and service members 
                missing in action who have valiantly honored their 
                commitment to this great country.

                It is our sacred obligation to pay tribute to the 
                thousands of men and women of our Armed Forces who have 
                been imprisoned while serving in conflicts and who have 
                yet to return to American soil. We reflect on the brave 
                Americans who, while guarding our freedom and our way 
                of life, spent years of their youth imprisoned in 
                distant lands. They paid an enormous price and remained 
                dedicated to our sacred principles, even while under 
                extreme duress.

                We do not leave our fellow man or woman behind, and we 
                do not rest until our mission is complete. For more 
                than three decades, our country has conducted 
                investigation and recovery operations in Southeast Asia 
                with the help of the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and 
                Cambodia. Whether in Southeast Asia, or in South Korea, 
                Europe, the South Pacific, and in all other corners of 
                the globe, we are committed to this most honorable 
                mission of fully accounting for our missing personnel. 
                We are encouraged by the progress made, but know our 
                mission is ongoing until every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, 
                Coast Guardsman, and Marine missing in the line of duty 
                is accounted for.

                As Commander in Chief, it is my solemn duty to keep all 
                Americans safe. I will never forget our heroes held 
                prisoner or who have gone missing in action while 
                serving their country. Today, we recognize not just the 
                tremendous sacrifices of our service members, but also 
                those of their families who still seek answers. We are 
                steadfastly committed to bringing solace to those who 
                wait for the fullest possible accounting of their loved 
                ones.

                On September 15, 2017, 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, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 15, 2017, 
                as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the 
                people of the United States to join me in saluting all 
                American POWs and those missing in action who valiantly 
                served our country. I call upon Federal, State, and

[[Page 43664]]

                local government officials and private organizations to 
                observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities.

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

[FR Doc. 2017-20004
Filed 9-15-17; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P