[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22099-22100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08080]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2022 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 22099]]


                Proclamation 10367 of April 8, 2022

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and 
                Filipino prisoners of war began what would become known 
                to history as the Bataan Death March. Thousands died 
                during the march, but the indomitable spirit of those 
                prisoners was never broken. Eighty years later, our 
                Nation continues to honor their courage and recognize 
                the more than half a million service members who 
                sacrificed their own freedom as prisoners of war to 
                ensure that our Nation and the values of freedom and 
                democracy always prevail.

                Former prisoners of war stand among the bravest of our 
                Nation. They fought valiantly and served with honor--
                and under often agonizing conditions as prisoners, they 
                demonstrated incredible personal courage, love of 
                country, and devotion to duty. Through their 
                extraordinary sacrifices and selflessness, they helped 
                ensure freedom for millions of people. They are heroes.

                I join all Americans in expressing our deepest 
                gratitude to every service member who has endured being 
                a prisoner of war and to their families, caregivers, 
                and survivors. Their service--knowing all the risk and 
                danger it could bring--is a credit to their character 
                and to our Nation. On this day and every day, we 
                remember the hardships of captivity they survived in 
                service to our Nation. We also remember all the brave 
                women and men who died as prisoners in foreign lands 
                during our Nation's past wars, and we grieve with those 
                at home who prayed for their loved ones' return. Their 
                faith, love of family, and devotion to our Nation 
                inspire us all, and we will always remember their 
                sacrifices.

                Today, our brave men and women in uniform carry on the 
                rich legacy of our former prisoners of war--unrelenting 
                in battle, unwavering in loyalty, unmatched in decency, 
                and prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf 
                of our Nation.

                May God bless our former prisoners of war and their 
                families, and may God protect our troops.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 2022, 
                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 as 
                our Nation expresses its 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 22100]]

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

[FR Doc. 2022-08080
Filed 4-12-22; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P