[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8914--DEC. 6, 2012

Proclamation 8914 of December 6, 2012

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On December 7, 1941, our Nation suffered one of the most devastating
attacks ever to befall the American people. In less than 2 hours, the
bombs that rained on Pearl Harbor robbed thousands of men, women, and
children of their lives; in little more than a day, our country was
thrust into the greatest conflict the world had ever known. We mark this
anniversary by honoring the patriots who perished more than seven
decades ago, extending our thoughts and prayers to the loved ones they
left behind, and showing our gratitude to a generation of service
members who carried our Nation through some of the 20th century's
darkest moments.
In his address to the Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt affirmed
that ``with confidence in our Armed Forces--with the unbounding
determination of our people--we will gain the inevitable triumph.''
Millions stood up and shipped out to meet that call to service, fighting
heroically on Europe's distant shores and pressing island by island
across the Pacific. Millions more carried out the fight in factories and
shipyards here at home, building the arsenal of democracy that propelled
America to the victory President Roosevelt foresaw. On every front, we
faced down impossible odds--and out of the ashes of conflict, America
rose more prepared than ever to meet the challenges of the day, sure
that there was no trial we could not overcome.
Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons and daughters who made
the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu. As we do, let us also reaffirm that
their legacy will always burn bright--whether in the memory of those who
knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and women in
uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and free.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December
7 of each year as ``National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2012, as National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of
remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with
appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and
interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the
United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of

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those American
patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of
December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
seventh.
BARACK OBAMA