    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 25 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
    [Pages 1465-1466]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7324--50th Anniversary of the Korean War and National
    Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2000

    June 23, 2000

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        Fifty years ago, on June 25, 1950, armed forces from North Korea
    shattered the peace in the Land of the Morning Calm as they crossed the
    38th Parallel and launched an invasion of South Korea. The communist
    forces advanced rapidly and, at the outset, appeared close to easy
    victory. President
    Truman, recognizing the threat to our South
    Korean allies and their democracy, responded swiftly and decisively.
    Through the United Nations Security Council, he marshaled international
    opposition to the invasion and, on June 27, 1950, committed the first
    U.S. forces to combat in South Korea.
        On some of the world's harshest terrain, through the scorching heat
    of summer and the numbing cold of winter, American troops fought with
    steely determination and uncommon courage. As they gained ground,
    pushing the North Koreans back toward the 38th parallel, American
    families began to hope that our troops would be home by Christmas. But
    in November, at the Yalu River in North Korean territory, American
    forces encountered a new and daunting antagonist: Chinese forces had
    joined their North Korean allies, and the tide of battle turned once
    again.
        Through months of attack and counterattack, falling back and
    regaining ground, U.S. troops and our allies refused to succumb to enemy
    forces. The war dragged into a bloody stalemate and long, bitter talks
    ensued. Finally, negotiators signed an armistice agreement at Panmunjom
    on July 27, 1953. North Korea withdrew across the 38th parallel, and the
    Republic of South Korea regained its status as a free, democratic
    nation. For the first time in history, a world organization of nations
    had taken up arms to oppose aggression and, thanks largely to the valor,
    skill, and perseverance of almost 2,000,000 Americans, had succeeded.

    [[Page 1466]]

        In later years, the Korean War would sometimes be called ``the
    Forgotten War.'' But we have not forgotten. We pay honor to the courage
    of our veterans who fought in Korea and to the thousands who died there
    or whose fate is still unknown. We recall the grief of their families
    and the gratitude of the people of South Korea. We remember that, in the
    Korean War, our soldiers' brave stand against communism laid the
    foundations of peace and freedom that so many nations enjoy today.
        Over the next 3-\1/2\ years, Americans will gather to observe the
    50th anniversary of the Korean War and honor our veterans. The Secretary
    of Defense will help coordinate many of these events and will develop
    commemorative and educational materials to help inform the American
    public about our veterans' many contributions and sacrifices.
        The Congress, by Public Law 106-195, has authorized and requested
    the President to issue a proclamation in observance of the 50th
    anniversary of the Korean War, and by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127),
    the Congress has designated July 27, 2000, as ``National Korean War
    Veterans Armistice Day'' and has authorized and requested the President
    to issue a proclamation in observance of that day.
        Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United
    States of America, do hereby urge all Americans to observe the 50th
    Anniversary of the Korean War and do hereby proclaim July 27, 2000, as
    National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to
    observe these periods with appropriate ceremonies and activities that
    honor and give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans. I also
    ask Federal departments and agencies and interested groups,
    organizations, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at
    half-staff on July 27, 2000, 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-third
    day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    fourth.
                                                William J. Clinton

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:47 p.m., June 26,
    2000]

    Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on
    June 27.