[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.