[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 38 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Pages 1351-1352]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7469--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2001

September 21, 2001

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The noble ideals that became our Nation's constitutional foundation 
were formed over two centuries ago in the hearts of courageous patriots 
who risked their lives in the name of liberty and justice. Throughout 
our history, American patriots have risen to answer the call when the 
enemies of freedom have jeopardized our liberties. Our military history 
is replete with heroes who put love of country above their own well-
being. In answering the call to defend our ideals, generations of brave 
Americans have left home and family to protect our great Nation, some 
never to return.
    National POW/MIA Recognition Day is notably significant for many 
American families. It reminds us of the men and women who withstood 
great hardship while imprisoned by our Nation's enemies; and it reminds 
us of those still missing, loved ones lost at war but whose fate is not 
yet fully known. We will not forget these patriots who were willing to 
give their all to preserve and protect our freedoms.
    Nearly 50,000 former POWs live among us, including those held 
captive during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, throughout 
the Cold War era, and during Operation Desert Storm. We owe an 
incalculable debt of gratitude to these quiet heroes who displayed great 
honor and indomitable wills and who sacrificed so much for our Nation.
    To the families of those who are still missing, we renew our 
unwavering commitment and determination to obtain the fullest possible 
accounting for them, including their recovery or repatriation and the 
identification of the remains of those who have died.
    On September 21, 2001, the flag of the National League of Families 
of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia will be flown over 
the White House, the Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and 
Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the 
National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, 
U.S. Military installations, national cemeteries, and other locations 
across our country. This observance will serve as a powerful reminder to 
all Americans that we will always keep faith with those who served our 
Nation with honor, integrity, and great sacrifice, remembering those 
still missing and honoring those who were imprisoned during war.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States, 
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 21, 2001, as National 
POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon all Americans to join me in 
honoring former American prisoners of war who suffered the hardships of 
enemy captivity and in renewing our commitment to those still missing in 
action. I call upon Federal, State, and local government officials and 
private organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies 
and activities.

[[Page 1352]]

    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
day of September, 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, 8:45 a.m., September 
22, 2001]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 25.