    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 10118 of November 10, 2020
    Veterans Day, 2020
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation
    America's veterans have fought to defend our country, its values, and
    its interests since the first days of our founding. They have defeated
    tyrants, eliminated terrorists, and secured freedom at home and abroad.
    Their courage and fortitude in the face of adversity serve as an example
    for all Americans. On Veterans Day, we pause to pay tribute to all who
    have proudly worn our Nation's uniform. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen,
    Marines, and Coast Guardsmen selflessly placed lives, well-being, and
    security of others before their own. We enjoy the privileges
    of peace, prosperity, and freedom because of our veterans, and we are
    forever indebted to them beyond measure.
    For their love of country and dedication to duty, America's veterans
    have endured adversity, loneliness, fatigue, loss, and made other
    incredible sacrifices. Many sustained life-altering physical injuries
    and disabilities; others bear the burden of emotional scars for the
    remainder of their lives. Our Nation's veterans fully understand
    liberty's high and precious cost, for they have paid it every day since
    the formation of our Republic.
    As Commander in Chief, I have relentlessly fought to support America's
    veterans. For far too long, our Government had not fully met its
    obligation to provide for ``him who shall have borne the battle, and for
    his widow and his orphan.''; I recognize that this country and its
    people are duty-bound to care for our exceptional veterans, their
    families, and their survivors. That is why, throughout my time in
    office, I have worked tirelessly to improve the health, welfare, and
    economic prosperity of these treasured people. In just a few short
    years, my Administration completely overhauled the Department of
    Veterans Affairs (VA), removing employees who were not giving our
    veterans the care and attention they deserve and making the agency more
    accountable to the heroes it serves. I also signed into law the VA
    MISSION Act, which gives eligible veterans the choice to receive timely
    care from providers in their own communities. In 2018, I also signed the
    largest funding bill in the history of the VA, and the VA has since
    benefited from record budgets every year. In addition, I signed a
    Presidential Memorandum to ensure that veterans who are totally and
    permanently disabled receive the Federal student loan forgiveness to
    which they are so justly entitled. We will continue to build on these
    efforts and work to create an economic environment that fosters growth
    and prosperity for veterans, ensuring all of our veterans have the
    opportunity to live productive civilian lives.
    The mental health and welfare of our veterans is of critical importance,
    and addressing this issue has been a top priority. Tragically, an
    average of 20 veterans and service members die by suicide each day. We
    are striving with all our effort to end this alarming and unacceptable
    reality. Last year, I launched the largest whole-of-government program
    in history to end veteran suicide, the President's Roadmap to Empower
    Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). I also
    recently signed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veteran Mental

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    Health Care Improvement Act which is strengthening VA mental health,
    supporting suicide prevention efforts, and developing pilot programs
    dedicated to ending veteran suicide. I have also bolstered the Veterans
    Crisis Line, so that its around-the-clock operators can deliver the
    best possible intervention services to vulnerable veterans.
    Our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best
    America can provide them. To recognize and respect the contributions our
    service men and women have made in defense of America, and to advance
    the cause of peace, the Congress has provided, as outlined in 5 U.S.C.
    6103(a), that November 11th of each year shall be set aside as a legal
    public holiday to recognize America's veterans. These heroes served
    faithfully, humbly, and valiantly in times of war and peace, and they
    carried these admirable traits into the civilian workforce when their
    military service was fulfilled. Our precious liberty has survived and
    thrived because of generations of brave Americans--from every
    background and walk of life--who have answered the call to support and
    defend the United States. The gravity of their contribution is
    immeasurable and so is our debt to every single one of our Nation's
    veterans.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2020, as Veterans Day. I
    encourage all Americans to recognize the fortitude and sacrifice 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 tenth day of
    November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fifth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP