[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 43201-43202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15593]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 138 / Wednesday, July 20, 2022 /  

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[[Page 43201]]


                Proclamation 10424 of July 15, 2022

                
National Atomic Veterans Day, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On National Atomic Veterans Day, we recognize the brave 
                service of America's Atomic Veterans. We renew our 
                commitment to supporting Atomic Veterans and to 
                preserving their stories, so that Americans will always 
                remember both their crucial role in our history and our 
                aspiration for a world without nuclear weapons.

                The military personnel who participated in nuclear 
                testing between 1945 and 1962, served in the Armed 
                Forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-
                1946, or were held as prisoners of war in or near 
                Hiroshima or Nagasaki stand among our bravest heroes. 
                Many of these veterans stepped forward to defend our 
                democratic values and helped to end the deadliest 
                conflict in history. Yet, despite their service in 
                uniform, Atomic Veterans were prevented from discussing 
                the nature of their service--including with their 
                families. Although many Atomic Veterans developed 
                serious health conditions due to radiation exposure, 
                they were unable to seek medical care or disability 
                compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                (VA) for injuries and diseases associated with their 
                exposure.

                Decades later, when the United States Congress repealed 
                the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, 
                veterans exposed to radiation through their service-
                related activities were finally able to break their 
                silence and qualify for select VA benefits and 
                services. Tragically, many Atomic Veterans passed away 
                without ever receiving the health care they deserved 
                and without their families knowing the true extent of 
                their service.

                Our Nation has many obligations, but only one sacred 
                obligation: to prepare and equip the troops that we 
                send into harm's way and to care for them when they 
                return home, as well as their families, caregivers, and 
                survivors. For far too long, our Nation failed in our 
                sacred obligation to our Atomic Veterans. It is a 
                mistake our country must never repeat. I am committed 
                to ensuring that all of our Nation's veterans and their 
                families, caregivers, and survivors have timely access 
                to the services, medical care, and benefits that they 
                deserve--including addressing the health effects of 
                exposures to environmental toxins and harmful 
                substances, such as the toxic fumes from burn pits. 
                Since taking office, we have made several improvements 
                to how we identify and address potential service-
                connected conditions, and the First Lady and I are 
                personally committed to ensuring that all our veterans 
                and their families, caregivers, and survivors receive 
                the benefits and services they have earned.

                On National Atomic Veterans Day, we honor the Atomic 
                Veterans who sacrificed on behalf our Nation. Our 
                Atomic Veterans are patriots, and their bravery and 
                service will always be remembered.

                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 July 16, 2022, 
                as National Atomic Veterans Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities that honor our Nation's 
                Atomic Veterans whose brave service and sacrifice 
                played an important role in the defense of our Nation.

[[Page 43202]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of July, 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-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2022-15593
Filed 7-19-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P