[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 30 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Page 1125]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7014--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 1997

July 25, 1997

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    On July 27, 1953, a negotiated cease-fire brought an end to the 
Korean War and to some of the most savage fighting in the history of 
America's Armed Forces. More than 54,000 Americans lost their lives, 
more than 103,000 were wounded, and thousands more were listed as 
missing in action. To a nation still recovering from the terrors and 
hardships of World War II, this conflict was a harsh reminder that 
freedom still had enemies at large in the world.
    But the Korean War taught us that free nations could work together 
in partnership through the United Nations, standing firm against tyranny 
and in defense of liberty. We were reminded once again of the skill, 
courage, and indomitable spirit of our men and women in uniform. We 
learned that the American people were tough enough and determined enough 
to prevail in the long struggle of the Cold War.
    Our victory in that struggle had its roots in the Korean War, and we 
owe our veterans of that conflict a profound debt of gratitude. Many of 
them were still scarred from the battles of World War II when they 
answered the call to duty in Korea. They fought a different kind of war 
in an unfamiliar land, facing a new and fiercely determined enemy. There 
they proved to all the enemies of freedom, and to the world, that 
America's commitment to liberty, democracy, and human rights was not 
only one of words, but also one of deeds.
    Etched into the eastern wall of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in 
our Nation's Capital is the simple sentence, ``Freedom Is Not Free.'' On 
this day we honor those who recognized the truth of that inscription and 
were willing to pay freedom's price with their own lives. We salute our 
men and women in uniform who served so valiantly in the Korean War, and 
we remember with sorrow and with pride all those who never came home.
    The Congress, by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 169m), has designated 
July 27, 1997, as ``National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day'' and has 
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
observance of this day.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim July 27, 1997, as National Korean 
War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this 
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and give 
thanks to our Nation's distinguished Korean War veterans. I also ask 
Federal departments and agencies, interested groups, organizations, and 
individuals to fly the American flag at half-staff on July 27, 1997, in 
memory of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth 
day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and twenty-second.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:30 a.m., July 28, 
1997]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
July 29.