[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9670 of November 1, 2017

National Veterans and Military Families Month, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During National Veterans and Military Families Month, we honor the
significant contributions made by American service members, their
families, and their loved ones. We set aside this month surrounding
Veterans Day to hold observances around the country to honor and thank
those whose service and sacrifice represent the very best of America. We
renew our Nation's commitment to support veterans and military families.
They deserve it.
Our veterans are our heroes. Our Armed Forces have preserved the
security and freedom that allow us to flourish as a Nation. They have
braved bitter winters, treacherous jungles, barren deserts, and stormy
waters to defend our Nation. They have left their families to face
danger and uncertainty, and they have endured the wounds of war, all to
protect our Nation's interests and ideals established during the
Founding.
Our military families endure many hardships along with those who defend
our Nation. They are separated from their loved ones for months on end
and frequently relocated across the country and around the world. They
often live far from their extended families, and they know what it is
like to celebrate holidays and milestones with an empty seat at the
table. Many military spouses face the task of making ends meet while
their loved ones are away and of securing new employment with each
change in duty station. Children of service members often grow up living
a nomadic life--periodically calling a new place ``home'' and adjusting
to different schools, trying out for new sports teams, and making new
friends. In these lives of frequent change and transition, however, our
incredible military families not only survive, they thrive.
It is our patriotic duty to honor veterans and military families. As
part of our efforts to answer President Lincoln's charge to care for
those who have ``borne the battle,'' I have asked the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to lead the Nation in a month of observances
across the country to honor our veterans.
As veterans and military families attend these events, they will see the
reforms and improvements that we have made at the VA. Over the last 9
months, we have made important changes that enable better service

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for our veterans. We have increased accountability and enhanced
protections for whistleblowers. We have improved transparency, customer
service, and continuity of care. We are working every day to ensure a
future of high quality care and timely access to the benefits veterans
have earned through their devoted service to a grateful Nation.
This month, in which Americans traditionally pause to give thanks for
our blessings, it is fitting that we come together to honor with
gratitude our extraordinary veterans and military families and their
service to our country. May God continue to bless our Armed Forces and
those families that love and support them.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 November 2017 as
National Veterans and Military Families Month. I encourage all
communities, all sectors of society, and all Americans to acknowledge
and honor the service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans and
military families for what they have done and for what they do every day
to support our great Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.
DONALD J. TRUMP