[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 30 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Pages 1264-1265]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7578--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2002

 July 26, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Fifty-two years ago, armed forces from North Korea shattered the 
peace as they crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. A 22-
country force assembled to face this Cold War challenge, and the 
majority of them were Americans. The brave men and women of this 
coalition fought courageously to defend a population facing tyranny and 
aggression, and they succeeded in defeating the invading forces.

[[Page 1265]]

    During the Korean War, approximately 1.8 million members of the 
United States Armed Forces fought in places such as Pork Chop Hill, 
Pusan Perimeter, and the Chosin Reservoir. During the intense fighting, 
approximately 34,000 American lives were lost in combat; 92,000 were 
wounded; and more than 8,000 listed as missing in action or taken 
prisoner. Their distinguished service reminds us of the words engraved 
on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington--``Freedom Is Not 
Free.''
    As we face the challenges of a new era and a new war, we look to 
America's Korean War veterans for their example of dedication and 
sacrifice in defending freedom. These men and women faced a formidable 
adversary and endured harsh and bitter conditions in upholding our 
Nation's heritage of valor, tenacity, and honor during this important 
stand against Communist aggression. For their gallantry in action, 131 
servicemen earned our Nation's highest military award, the Medal of 
Honor. More than 90 of them received the award posthumously.
    Forty-nine years ago, the Military Armistice Agreement ended the 
fighting and stopped the spread of Communism in Korea. In order to thank 
and honor veterans of the Korean War and their families, America will 
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War through November 11, 
2003. Today, as the Republic of Korea stands as a strong, democratic, 
and progressive nation, we thank our Korean War veterans for serving our 
Nation and the world with courage and distinction. These patriots 
advanced the principles and ideals upon which our Nation was founded, 
and they helped promote liberty, opportunity, and hope.
    The Congress, by Public Law 104-19, as amended (36 U.S.C. 127), has 
designated July 27, 2002, 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, 2002, as National Korean War 
Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon the people of the United States 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, 2002, 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-sixth 
day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 29, 
2002]

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