    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9962 of October 31, 2019

    National Veterans and Military Families Month, 2019

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    The United States is a beacon of hope, freedom, and opportunity to
    people around the world. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and
    Coast Guardsmen who fight to defend our liberty embody courage,
    patriotism, and loyalty. These patriots safeguard the values that keep
    our great Nation strong. During National Veterans and Military Families
    Month, we honor and express our deep appreciation for these brave men
    and women and their families.
    Throughout our Nation's history, our military men and women have boldly
    answered the call of duty to defend our Nation's independence and
    precious liberties, risking life and limb for their fellow Americans. At
    the inception of our Republic, General George Washington and his men
    struggled to keep the spark of faith and hope alive through the scourge
    of disease and the brutal winter months at Valley Forge. One hundred and
    forty years later during World War I, American service members shed
    blood in the trenches of Western Europe, leaving a legacy of heroism and
    courage under fire at places like Belleau Wood and the River Somme.
    Earlier this year, we commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when
    thousands of American heroes charged through a hail of machine gun fire
    and left their gallant mark on the pages of history. The courage of our
    men and women who served and fought during that war freed the world from
    the shroud of tyranny and ended the oppression of millions across the
    globe. In the decades since World War II, Americans have remained at the
    vanguard in defending free

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    dom around the world, and our service members, veterans, and their
    families continue to spearhead this noble undertaking.
    America's military men and women and their families are vital to the
    security and prosperity of our Nation. We have a responsibility to
    protect and serve those who have made countless sacrifices for love of
    country. As President Lincoln once said: ``Honor to the soldier and
    sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also,
    to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as
    best he can, the same cause.'' We also recognize the integral role our
    more than 2.6 million military family members play in supporting our
    Armed Forces and contributing to their mission. While our military men
    and women are serving at home or overseas, it is our duty to provide
    their families with the resources they need to thrive in our
    communities. Accordingly, under my Administration, the Department of
    Defense has created programs for military families that support access
    to quality childcare and spousal employment and promote occupational
    licensure reciprocity between States.
    We also recognize that our obligation to our military men and women does
    not end after their time in uniform. We are a Nation that leaves no
    American behind, and that includes our veterans and their family
    members. For this reason, I was pleased to sign into law the VA MISSION
    Act of 2018, which helps provide all veterans with access to trusted,
    high-quality healthcare. I have also made it a top priority of my
    Administration to address the tragedy of veteran suicide, establishing
    the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy
    of Suicide (PREVENTS). The PREVENTS initiative will encourage a better
    understanding of veteran suicide and work across all levels of
    government and the private sector to implement strategies that will
    strengthen support networks for veterans and their families.
    My Administration remains committed to providing our veterans and their
    families with the financial resources they have rightfully earned. Last
    year, we secured $201.1 billion in funding for the Department of
    Veterans Affairs (VA)--the most in the history of the VA--including $8.6
    billion to support mental health services for veterans. Additionally, I
    recently directed the Department of Education to discharge some types of
    Federal student loans owed by totally and permanently disabled veterans.
    This unprecedented action lessens the financial burden for our seriously
    wounded warriors who have sacrificed so much for our country, and it
    underscores the appreciation and undying loyalty of the American people.
    Each warrior who fights for our Nation, along with their families, has
    earned our eternal gratitude, and I ask that all Americans thank and
    support them. Together, we remain committed to fostering a national
    community of support for these brave heroes and their families.
    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 2019 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.

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    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fourth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP