[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