[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 12, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22349-22350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07890]



[[Page 22347]]

Vol. 88

Wednesday,

No. 70

April 12, 2023

Part III





The President





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Proclamation 10550--National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
2023
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 70 / Wednesday, April 12, 2023 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 22349]]

                Proclamation 10550 of April 7, 2023

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2023

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we 
                honor the more than half a million service members who 
                sacrificed their freedom as prisoners of war in order 
                to defend freedom for their fellow Americans. These 
                brave patriots remind us of the grave costs of war and 
                the sacrifice we ask of those who fight for us. We owe 
                them and their families, caregivers, and survivors a 
                debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.

                This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Operation 
                Homecoming, the repatriation of nearly 600 Americans 
                held captive during the Vietnam War, as well as the 
                70th anniversary of Operations Big Switch and Little 
                Switch, which brought home more than 3,700 American 
                prisoners of the Korean War. These heroes--and other 
                prisoners of war from every conflict throughout our 
                history--stand among the bravest of our Nation, serving 
                honorably under intolerable circumstances. Their 
                unwavering courage helped defend an idea unlike any 
                other in human history: the idea of the United States 
                of America.

                Our Nation has many obligations, but our one truly 
                sacred obligation is to equip those we send into harm's 
                way and to care for them and their families when they 
                return home. To every prisoner of war now safely 
                reunited with their loved ones: We will never fail to 
                honor your sacrifice. To every family still awaiting 
                answers about a hero who went missing in action: We 
                will never stop working to bring them home. And to 
                every service member defending our Nation and our 
                values around the world today: We will never forget 
                what you give to this country each day.

                May God bless our former prisoners of war and their 
                families, caregivers, and survivors, 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, 2023, 
                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 22350]]

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

[FR Doc. 2023-07890
Filed 4-11-23; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P