[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9021--SEPT. 19, 2013

Proclamation 9021 of September 19, 2013

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Our country endures because in every generation, courageous Americans
answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces. They represent the very
best of the human spirit, stand tall for the values and freedoms we
cherish, and uphold peace and security at home and around the globe.
Today, we pay tribute to the service members who have not re-


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turned from the battlefield, we stand beside their families, and we
honor those who are held captive as prisoners of war. We will never
forget their sacrifice, nor will we ever abandon our responsibility
to do everything in our power to bring them home.
America remains steadfast in our determination to recover our missing
patriots. Our work is not finished until our heroes are returned safely
to our shores or a full accounting is provided to their loved ones. We
must care for the men and women who have served so selflessly in our
name, and we must carry forward the legacy of those whose fates are
still unknown. Today, and every day, we express our profound
appreciation to our service members, our veterans, our military
families, and all those who placed themselves in harm's way to sustain
the virtues that are the hallmarks of our Union.
On September 20, 2013, the stark black and white banner symbolizing
America's Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the
White House; the United States Capitol; the Departments of State,
Defense, and Veterans Affairs; the Selective Service System
Headquarters; the World War II Memorial; the Korean War Veterans
Memorial; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; United States post offices;
national cemeteries; and other locations across our country. We raise
this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the
sacrifices made to defend our Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 September 20, 2013, as
National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I urge all Americans to observe this
day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.
BARACK OBAMA