[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 44907-44908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11390]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 22, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 44907]]


                Proclamation 10762 of May 17, 2024

                
Armed Forces Day, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, 
                Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve Forces 
                comprise the greatest fighting force the world has ever 
                known. Throughout the annals of history, they have 
                stood on the frontlines of freedom--risking everything 
                to keep the light of liberty burning bright at home and 
                around the globe. On Armed Forces Day, we honor their 
                service. We remember their selfless sacrifices. We 
                renew our solemn vow to them and their families, 
                caregivers, and survivors.

                Our Nation has many obligations but only one that is 
                truly sacred: to train and equip those we send into 
                harm's way and care for them and their families when 
                they come home. Since I came into office, I have signed 
                over 30 bipartisan bills to support our service 
                members, our veterans, and their families. That 
                includes the PACT Act--the most significant law in our 
                Nation's history to help the millions of veterans who 
                were exposed to toxic substances and burn pits during 
                their military service. Further, we are working to 
                ensure that service members and their families have 
                access to the mental health care they need--an 
                important step toward ending the silent scourge of 
                suicide that has already taken too many lives.

                At the same time, we are working to give service 
                members, veterans, and their families some well-
                deserved breathing room. My Administration helped fix 
                the student loan system, easing the burden of $160 
                billion of student debt for nearly 4.6 million Federal 
                student loan borrowers through various actions. This 
                year, I took the most comprehensive set of 
                administrative actions in our Nation's history to 
                support the economic security of military families, 
                spouses, caregivers, and survivors. We are making it 
                easier for military spouses to find work by making it 
                easier for the Federal Government to hire them, 
                encouraging employers to offer more flexible leave 
                policies, and lowering the cost of child care for 
                military families. Through the First Lady's Joining 
                Forces Initiative, we are taking further action to 
                support military and veteran spouses in finding and 
                keeping good-paying jobs as well as health and wellness 
                resources.

                As Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that 
                every member of our military feels safe and respected--
                and that means ensuring inclusivity, dignity, and 
                decency remain at the core of the culture of our Armed 
                Forces. I am proud to have implemented historic, 
                bipartisan reforms to our military justice system, 
                which better protect victims and ensure prosecutorial 
                decisions for sexual assault, domestic violence, and 
                other crimes are fully independent from the chain of 
                command. One of my earliest acts in office was to end 
                the ban on transgender Americans serving openly in the 
                military. My Administration will continue to stand up 
                to all forms of harassment and hate within our ranks so 
                that all our service members can thrive.

                No matter how high the cost, how great the risk, or how 
                heavy the burden--through long deployments and dangers, 
                frequent moves and challenging trainings, and the many 
                other unique burdens of serving our country--our 
                Nation's Armed Forces have always met the moment. They 
                exemplify the very best of our Nation. Today--and every 
                day--let us honor their

[[Page 44908]]

                service, sacrifice, courage, and commitment. Let us 
                continue to meet our sacred obligation to them and 
                their families, caregivers, and survivors.

                May God bless and protect our service members and 
                veterans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America and Commander in Chief of 
                the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the 
                precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby 
                proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces 
                Day.

                I direct the Secretary of Defense, on behalf of the 
                Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force, 
                and the Secretary of Homeland Security, on behalf of 
                the Coast Guard, to plan for appropriate observances 
                each year, with the Secretary of Defense responsible 
                for soliciting the participation and cooperation of 
                civil authorities and private citizens. I invite the 
                Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
                Rico, and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of 
                the United States to provide for the observance of 
                Armed Forces Day within their respective jurisdictions 
                each year in an appropriate manner designed to increase 
                public understanding and appreciation of the Armed 
                Forces of the United States. I also invite veterans, 
                civic leaders, and other organizations to join in the 
                observance of Armed Forces Day each year.

                Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag 
                of the United States at their homes and businesses on 
                Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens to learn more 
                about military service by attending and participating 
                in the local observances of the day.

                Proclamation 10585 of May 19, 2023, is hereby 
                superseded.

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

[FR Doc. 2024-11390
Filed 5-21-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P