    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 21 (Monday, May 28, 2001)]
    [Pages 808-809]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7444--Prayer For Peace, Memorial Day, 2001

     May 25, 2001

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        ``Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives
    acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his
    friends.'' These words, spoken by General Dwight D. Eisenhower following
    Germany's surrender in 1945, paid tribute to his fallen comrades as he
    humbly acknowledged that their ultimate sacrifice gave occasion for
    recognition of his leadership.
        Similarly, we stand as a Nation that is strong and deserving of
    praise. Yet we are humbled, because we remember that the wealth of this
    Nation's heritage, the strength of its ideals, and the extent of its
    freedom came with a tremendous price. These treasures were purchased
    with the lives of American service men and women, a cost borne
    prominently by several generations. We are humbled because so many
    bright futures, hopes, and dreams were sacrificed for the abundance of
    opportunities we now freely pursue.
        Through the course of our Nation's history, more than 41 million
    Americans have served the cause of freedom and more than a million have
    died in its name. On this noble American holiday, we solemnly pause to
    remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our
    Nation. We honor those generations and individuals who fought for
    liberty and in defiance of tyranny that this unique experiment in self-
    government might long endure.
        At a bridge at Concord, in the muddy trenches of Europe, the rugged
    mountains of Korea, the dense forests of Asia, or across the burning
    sands of the Persian Gulf, America's heroes have advanced democracy
    around the globe and defended the liberties we hold dear. We are
    particularly mindful of our fallen patriots as we mark the 60th
    anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the 10th anniversary of
    Operation Desert Storm.
        We honor the final sacrifice of our service men and women by
    dedicating our own lives to peace and the defense of freedom. For these
    ideals they fought, and for these ideals we continue to strive. May we
    stand with diligence and with humility on the broad shoulders of those
    whose brave deeds and sacrifice we memorialize today. Let all of us
    commit this day, whether in public ceremony or in quiet reflection over
    a single grave, to remember them in fitting tribute.
        In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress by a joint
    resolution approved on May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the
    President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United
    States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent
    peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United
    States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has
    also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day
    as a time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of
    Remembrance.
        Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, May 28, 2001, as a day of
    prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each
    locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also
    ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance
    beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. I urge the press,
    radio, television, and all other media to participate in these
    observances.
        I also request the Governors of the United States and the
    Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units
    of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon
    on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels
    throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and
    control.

    [[Page 809]]

    I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at
    half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth
    day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    fifth.
                                                    George W. Bush

     [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 30,
    2001]

    Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on May
    31.