[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 221 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 73183-73184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25395]



[[Page 73181]]

Vol. 85

Monday,

No. 221

November 16, 2020

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 10118--Veterans Day, 2020
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  Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 221 / Monday, November 16, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 10118 of November 10, 2020

                
Veterans Day, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's veterans have fought to defend our country, 
                its values, and its interests since the first days of 
                our founding. They have defeated tyrants, eliminated 
                terrorists, and secured freedom at home and abroad. 
                Their courage and fortitude in the face of adversity 
                serve as an example for all Americans. On Veterans Day, 
                we pause to pay tribute to all who have proudly worn 
                our Nation's uniform. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, 
                Marines, and Coast Guardsmen selflessly placed lives, 
                well-being, and security of others before their own. We 
                enjoy the privileges of peace, prosperity, and freedom 
                because of our veterans, and we are forever indebted to 
                them beyond measure.

                For their love of country and dedication to duty, 
                America's veterans have endured adversity, loneliness, 
                fatigue, loss, and made other incredible sacrifices. 
                Many sustained life-altering physical injuries and 
                disabilities; others bear the burden of emotional scars 
                for the remainder of their lives. Our Nation's veterans 
                fully understand liberty's high and precious cost, for 
                they have paid it every day since the formation of our 
                Republic.

                As Commander in Chief, I have relentlessly fought to 
                support America's veterans. For far too long, our 
                Government had not fully met its obligation to provide 
                for ``him who shall have borne the battle, and for his 
                widow and his orphan.'' I recognize that this country 
                and its people are duty-bound to care for our 
                exceptional veterans, their families, and their 
                survivors. That is why, throughout my time in office, I 
                have worked tirelessly to improve the health, welfare, 
                and economic prosperity of these treasured people. In 
                just a few short years, my Administration completely 
                overhauled the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 
                removing employees who were not giving our veterans the 
                care and attention they deserve and making the agency 
                more accountable to the heroes it serves. I also signed 
                into law the VA MISSION Act, which gives eligible 
                veterans the choice to receive timely care from 
                providers in their own communities. In 2018, I also 
                signed the largest funding bill in the history of the 
                VA, and the VA has since benefited from record budgets 
                every year. In addition, I signed a Presidential 
                Memorandum to ensure that veterans who are totally and 
                permanently disabled receive the Federal student loan 
                forgiveness to which they are so justly entitled. We 
                will continue to build on these efforts and work to 
                create an economic environment that fosters growth and 
                prosperity for veterans, ensuring all of our veterans 
                have the opportunity to live productive civilian lives.

                The mental health and welfare of our veterans is of 
                critical importance, and addressing this issue has been 
                a top priority. Tragically, an average of 20 veterans 
                and service members die by suicide each day. We are 
                striving with all our effort to end this alarming and 
                unacceptable reality. Last year, I launched the largest 
                whole-of-government program in history to end veteran 
                suicide, the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans 
                and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). I 
                also recently signed the Commander John Scott Hannon 
                Veteran Mental Health Care Improvement Act which is 
                strengthening VA mental health, supporting suicide 
                prevention efforts, and developing pilot programs 
                dedicated to ending veteran suicide. I have

[[Page 73184]]

                also bolstered the Veterans Crisis Line, so that its 
                around-the-clock operators can deliver the best 
                possible intervention services to vulnerable veterans.

                Our veterans represent the best of America, and they 
                deserve the best America can provide them. To recognize 
                and respect the contributions our service men and women 
                have made in defense of America, and to advance the 
                cause of peace, the Congress has provided, as outlined 
                in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), that November 11th of each year 
                shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to 
                recognize America's veterans. These heroes served 
                faithfully, humbly, and valiantly in times of war and 
                peace, and they carried these admirable traits into the 
                civilian workforce when their military service was 
                fulfilled. Our precious liberty has survived and 
                thrived because of generations of brave Americans--from 
                every background and walk of life--who have answered 
                the call to support and defend the United States. The 
                gravity of their contribution is immeasurable and so is 
                our debt to every single one of our Nation's veterans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 
                11, 2020, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                recognize the fortitude and sacrifice of our veterans 
                through public ceremonies and private thoughts and 
                prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local 
                officials to display the flag of the United States and 
                to participate in patriotic activities in their 
                communities. I call on all Americans, including civic 
                and fraternal organizations, places of worship, 
                schools, and communities to support this day with 
                commemorative expressions and programs.

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

[FR Doc. 2020-25395
Filed 11-13-20; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P