[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