    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 44 (Monday, November 5, 2001)]
    [Pages 1575-1576]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7491--Veterans Day, 2001

     October 30, 2001

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation<Q P='04'<ls-thn-eq>

        Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the signers of the
    Declaration of Independence declared that ``all Men are created equal,
    that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
    that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.''
        Throughout the course of American history, courageous men and women
    have taken up arms to secure, defend, and maintain these core principles
    upon which our Nation's freedoms depend. On September 11, 2001,
    terrorists ruthlessly attacked our land and these freedoms. The
    terrorists' deluded attempt to assail our spirit failed, and our
    Nation's response reveals that the spirit of freedom is as strong as
    ever. Our troops are now fighting overseas to defeat terrorism, and, in
    that effort, they follow in the footsteps of the 48 million men and
    women who, since our Nation's founding, have stepped forward to defend
    our land.
        Today, there are more than 25 million living veterans who served our
    Nation in times of peace and war. Many of them willingly entered harm's
    way to fight for our freedoms. These veterans have diverse religious
    beliefs and come from varying backgrounds and ethnicities. By their
    service, they kept America strong, and they have protected our way of
    life from tyranny's grip for over two centuries. At this moment, men and
    women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are serving
    around the world. They represent our resolute dedication to achieving a
    lasting peace out of the new challenges and threats of the 21st century.
        On Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the sacrifices of all of
    those who have put on the uniform to serve in the United States
    military. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love
    of country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg to Iwo Jima and
    the Persian Gulf. They consistently defended our ideals across the
    globe; and they continue to inspire those who defend America today, half
    a world away. More than a million have died in service to America; and
    more than a million and a half have been wounded. Some sustained serious
    injuries in combat and now live with disabilities. Our Nation will
    always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by these veterans. We
    can never adequately repay them. But we can honor and respect them for
    their service.
        As we consider the sacrifices and efforts of our veterans, we must
    never forget that freedom comes at a cost. Therefore, I ask all schools
    to observe November 11 through November 17, 2001, as National Veterans
    Awareness Week, and to invite a veteran to speak at their school. This
    ``Lessons in Liberty'' initiative will serve to honor America's
    veterans, while reminding young people of the strong principles upon
    which our Nation is founded. Our veterans have much to share with our
    young people about liberty, patriotism, democracy, and independence.
    They are living examples of the timeless truth that freedom is not free.
    I call upon our veterans to serve our country in a different way, by
    teaching a new generation of young Americans the importance of the
    liberties they helped secure.
        In respect and recognition of the contributions our service men and
    women have made to the cause of peace and freedom, the Congress has
    provided (5 U.S.C. 6103 (a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set
    aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.
        Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2001, as

    [[Page 1576]]

    Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 11 through
    November 17, 2001, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I urge all
    Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through
    appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal,
    State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and
    to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in their
    communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of
    worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this
    national observance with suitable commemorative expressions and
    programs.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
    of October, 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., November 1,
    2001]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on
    November 2.