    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7736 of November 14, 2003

    National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    From before the American Revolution, to the Civil War, to the wars in
    Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, our National Guard and Reserve have served
    our country with distinction. Today, our National Guard and Reserve
    forces are active on every front in the War on Terror. During National
    Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, we honor our courageous
    citizen-soldiers and their employers, whose continued support is vital
    to the success of our Armed Forces and to the strength of our country.
    America's Guard and Reserve personnel are training hard and deploying
    frequently to meet new challenges worldwide. These brave defenders have
    performed combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have provided
    security at Guantanamo Bay. They have prepared for homeland security
    missions. Our Nation is blessed and grateful for the service of the
    brave men and women of the National Guard and Reserve.
    By supporting our Guardsmen and Reservists, employers across our Nation
    also are helping to advance freedom and democracy around the world. At
    the same time, these employers benefit from the experience and
    leadership skills these citizen-soldiers bring home. Employer support of
    our Guard and Reserve in the United States and abroad helps ensure our
    troops are mission-ready and is a source of pride and assurance for all
    Americans. This country is grateful to employers and workers for their
    support of Guard and Reserve members and their families. Because
    military deployment often disrupts families and businesses, my
    Administration is working to make deployments more predictable.
    Together, our National Guard and Reserve forces and their employers are
    united in purpose and reflect the highest standards of professionalism
    and honor.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 16 through
    November 22, 2003, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
    Week. I encourage all Americans to join me in expressing our heartfelt
    thanks to the members of our National Guard and Reserve and their
    civilian employers for their extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our
    Nation. I also call on State and local officials, private

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    organizations, businesses, and all military commanders to observe this
    week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of
    November, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    eighth.
    GEORGE W. BUSH