[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 71 (Monday, April 13, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20385-20386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07826]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 71 / Monday, April 13, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 20385]]

                Proclamation 10008 of April 8, 2020

                
 National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since our founding, brave men and women who have 
                selflessly answered the call of duty to defend our 
                precious liberty have shaped the fabric of our Nation. 
                In the course of fighting for our freedom and security, 
                many of these heroes have been captured and often 
                subjected to shocking conditions and unimaginable 
                torture. On National Former Prisoner of War Recognition 
                Day, we honor the more than 500,000 American warriors 
                captured while protecting our way of life. We pay 
                tribute to these patriots for their unwavering and 
                unrelenting spirit.

                In every major conflict in our Nation's history, 
                American prisoners of war (POWs) have stared down our 
                enemies, knowing at any moment their captors might 
                torture them yet again or even kill them. These 
                patriots, however, knew that they were fighting for 
                something much larger than individual survival. They 
                persevered for the sake of their fellow POWs, comrades 
                in arms, families, and country.

                Later this year, we will commemorate the 75th 
                anniversary of the conclusion of World War II. Over the 
                course of the war, nearly 94,000 American troops in the 
                European Theater and an additional 27,000 in the 
                Pacific Theater were captured and held as POWs. 
                Subjected to starvation, lack of medical care, and 
                unimaginable suffering, these Americans endured hell on 
                Earth. The POWs who returned home were forever changed. 
                Many bore the seen and unseen scars and wounds of war, 
                having experienced the worst of humanity.

                Though we can never fully understand the depth of their 
                brutal imprisonment and mistreatment, as Americans, it 
                is our duty to ensure all former POWs receive the love, 
                care, compassion, appreciation, and support they 
                deserve. It is our national obligation to remain 
                mindful of the tremendous sacrifices they, their family 
                members, and their loved ones endured over months and 
                years of uncertainty, worry, and heartache. May the 
                stories of these warriors inspire us to live each day 
                with fierce conviction, indomitable will, and 
                everlasting pride for our country.

                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 April 9, 2020, as 
                National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call 
                upon Americans to observe this day by honoring the 
                service and sacrifice of all former prisoners of war 
                and to express our Nation's eternal gratitude for their 
                sacrifice. I also call upon Federal, State, and local 
                government officials and organizations to observe this 
                day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 20386]]

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

[FR Doc. 2020-07826
Filed 4-10-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P