[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 30 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Pages 1100-1101]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7457--National Korean War Veterans Armistice
Day, 2001

 July 25, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The sounds of war thundered as a furious struggle took place 51 
years ago in a country unknown to many Americans. The battleground that 
was Korea in the years 1950 to 1953 tested the resolve, courage, and 
commitment of an America barely 5 years beyond the tremendous sacrifices 
of World War II. Undaunted, America again marshaled her forces to defend 
a population facing tyranny and aggression.
    Freedom for the Republic of Korea was purchased with deep sacrifice 
and with honor. In 38 months of intense fighting, 33,665 Americans gave 
their lives in battle. Our Nation's highest military award, the Medal of 
Honor, was awarded to 131 members of the U.S. Armed Forces, more than 90 
of them posthumously. Yet the challenge of Korea was not just a 
formidable adversary, but also a harsh and forbidding climate. The 1.8 
million service men and women who served there suffered bitter winters 
that would claim casualties approaching those inflicted by guns, 
shrapnel, and bayonets. When the Military Armistice Agreement, effective 
48 years ago, silenced the guns on the Korean peninsula, it marked the 
end of the world's first determined stand against Communist aggression. 
It signaled the beginning of the Cold War, and foreshadowed the eventual 
dismantling of global Communism.

    Today, the liberties defended there half a century ago are the 
inheritance of 47 million citizens of a democratic, prosperous, and 
progressive Republic of Korea. The young Americans who fought and died 
there kept faith with a just cause, and in so doing, kept faith with the 
principles and ideals on which our Nation was founded. They immeasurably 
blessed the Republic of Korea and brought great honor to our Nation as a 
defender of freedom. Because of these truths, we recognize the Korean 
War for what it was and is--not a ``forgotten war,'' but a remembered 
victory.
    The Congress, by passing Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127), has 
designated July 27, 2001, 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, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2001, 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 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, 2001, 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 two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:47 a.m., July 27, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 
30.

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