[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]

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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.