[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62693-62694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19924]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 13, 2023 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62693]]


                Proclamation 10622 of September 8, 2023

                
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance, 2023

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today we remember all the heroes who were forged in the 
                hours, days, and years that followed that terrible 
                morning of September 11, 2001--ordinary Americans who, 
                amidst the terror, smoke, and flames, demonstrated 
                extraordinary courage and selflessness. Together, their 
                bravery helped prove to our Nation and the world that 
                what those terrorists most hoped to wound could never 
                be broken: the character of our Nation.

                In the crucible that was September 11th, we saw just 
                how deep that character goes. We saw it in the 
                civilians, service members, and first responders who 
                leapt into action that day, running into the searing 
                flames and crumbling buildings--risking and losing 
                their own lives to save others. We saw it in the 
                incredible courage and resolve of the passengers on 
                board Flight 93, who refused to let their plane be used 
                as a weapon against more innocent Americans. We saw it 
                in the police officers and firefighters who returned to 
                the twisted steel and broken concrete slabs of Ground 
                Zero and the Pentagon for months--breathing in toxins 
                and ash that would damage their own health but 
                nonetheless refusing to stop searching through the 
                destruction. And we saw it in the millions of Americans 
                across our country who responded to the September 11th 
                attacks by signing up to defend our Constitution and 
                join the greatest fighting force in the history of the 
                world.

                In the years since September 11th, hundreds of 
                thousands of American troops have served--and 
                sacrificed--around the world to deny terrorists safe 
                haven and protect the American people. The First Lady 
                and I hold in our hearts all those whose loved ones 
                gave their last full measure of devotion in this fight. 
                We owe them--and all our veterans and Gold Star 
                Families as well as their survivors, caregivers, and 
                loved ones--a debt of gratitude. While we can never 
                fully repay that debt, we will never fail to meet our 
                sacred obligation: to prepare and equip all those we 
                send into harm's way and care for them and their 
                families when they return.

                In honor of all the lives we lost 22 years ago--and in 
                honor of all the heroes who have given their whole 
                souls to the cause of this Nation every moment since--
                may today not only be observed with solemn remembrance 
                but also with renewal and resolve. And I invite all 
                Americans to observe this day with service; you can 
                find opportunities to volunteer in your community by 
                visiting americorps.gov/911-day. Together, may we 
                continue to demonstrate that the rights and freedoms 
                that those terrorists sought to destroy on September 
                11, 2001, remain unwavering--strengthened by 
                generations of Americans who have dared all and risked 
                all to defend, protect, and preserve our democracy.

                By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 
                (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated 
                September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by 
                Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the 
                Congress has requested the observance of September 11 
                as an annually recognized ``National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance.''

[[Page 62694]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 
                September 11, 2023, as Patriot Day and National Day of 
                Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, 
                agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to 
                display the flag of the United States at half-staff on 
                Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance 
                in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on 
                September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the 
                United States and its Territories and interested 
                organizations and individuals to join in this 
                observance. I call upon the people of the United States 
                to participate in community service in honor of those 
                our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities, including remembrance 
                services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning 
                at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the 
                innocent victims who perished as a result of the 
                terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of September, 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-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2023-19924
Filed 9-12-23; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P