[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9421 of April 8, 2016

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Under the flag of the United States, generations of women and men,
united in a common cause greater than themselves, have served to defend
the ideals that bind us together as a Nation and that preserve our
country as a beacon of hope and freedom around the world. On National
Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we salute the selfless service
members throughout our history who gave of their own liberty to ensure
ours, and we renew our commitment to remaining a Nation worthy of their
extraordinary sacrifices.
In wars and engagements since America's founding, brave patriots have
experienced indescribable suffering as prisoners of war. Often
physically and mentally tortured, starved, and put through the worst
most of us could imagine, these heroes are owed a debt we can never
fully repay, and their families--who exhibited tremendous fortitude in
the face of grueling uncertainty--are worthy of our profound gratitude.
The values of honor, courage, and selflessness that drive our Armed
Forces are particularly acute in those who have been taken as prisoners
of war, sustaining them through days, weeks, and sometimes years of
profound hardship endured for the sake of securing the blessings of
liberty for all.
America's former prisoners of war--and all who don our uniform to keep
us safe--have helped make our Nation the strongest and most prosperous
in the history of the world. Our eternal obligation is to care for them
and uphold our everlasting promise to never leave our men and women on
the battlefield behind. Let us reaffirm our adherence to these ideals
and honor our former prisoners of war by paying them the gratitude and
respect they deserve.
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 April 9, 2016, as
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call upon all
Americans to observe this day of remembrance by honoring all American
prisoners of war, our service members, and our veterans. I also call
upon Federal, State, and local government officials and organizations to
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA