    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9825 of November 9, 2018

    Veterans Day, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    On November 11, 1918, the United States and its allies signed an
    armistice with Germany to end hostilities in World War I. The Great War

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    exacted a tremendous toll on our Nation. More than 100,000 American
    service members perished in the war, and the lives of countless others
    were forever altered. In 1919, to honor and memorialize these
    sacrifices, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice
    Day, the precursor to Veterans Day, expressing ``solemn pride in the
    heroism of those who died in the country's service.''; This year, as we
    commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, we again salute the
    generations upon generations of American heroes who have sacrificed so
    much to secure the blessings of freedom for their fellow Americans.
    We will never be able to repay the debt we owe the brave men and women
    who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
    To the 20 million veterans alive today: this Veterans Day, we recommit
    ourselves to providing you with the care you deserve. In June, I signed
    into law the VA MISSION Act of 2018, enacting some of the most
    substantial reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a
    generation. This landmark legislation made Veterans Choice permanent,
    ensuring that our Nation's veterans have timely access to the highest
    quality of care possible and the flexibility to receive care either at
    the VA or at a private healthcare facility. The VA MISSION Act is
    removing barriers to telemedicine and expanding access to walk-in
    clinics. And it is giving veterans who were catastrophically injured in
    World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War the same
    access to caregiver assistance that veterans of more recent conflicts
    already enjoy. My Administration is also processing veteran claims and
    appeals more quickly than ever before, and veterans can now use their GI
    Bill benefits at any point in their lives. And, for the first time in
    history, the Department of Defense and the VA will share electronic
    health records, improving accessibility and easing the healthcare burden
    on our veterans.
    For many service members, the transition into civilian life can be
    fraught with challenges. To enhance their access to critical resources
    and support, I signed an Executive Order that directs the Secretaries of
    Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to develop and
    implement a Joint Action Plan that provides seamless access to mental
    health treatment and suicide prevention resources for service members in
    the year following the conclusion of their military service.
    As we mark the centennial of the Armistice, we remember the countless
    sacrifices that our country's heroic veterans have made throughout our
    history to preserve our liberty and prosperity. Our veterans embody the
    values and ideals of America and the timeless virtue of serving a
    greater cause. With respect for, and in recognition of, the
    contributions our service members have made to the advance of peace and
    freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a))
    that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public
    holiday to honor our Nation's veterans. As Commander in Chief of our
    heroic Armed Forces, I humbly thank our veterans and their families for
    their selflessness and love of country as we remember their service and
    their sacrifice. Today, and every day, we pay tribute to those who have
    worn the uniform, and we pray for the safety of all currently serving in
    harm's way.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2018, as Veterans Day. I
    encourage all Americans to recognize the fortitude and sacrifice

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    of our veterans through public ceremonies and private thoughts and
    prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the
    flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in
    their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and
    fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to
    support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
    November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    third.
    DONALD J. TRUMP