    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 15 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
    [Pages 421-422]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7660--National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 2003

     April 8, 2003

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        America's former prisoners of war (POWs) are national heroes whose
    service to our

    [[Page 422]]

    country will never be forgotten. These brave men and women who fought
    for America and endured cruelties and deprivation as prisoners of war
    helped to protect our Nation, liberated millions of people from the
    threats of tyranny and terror, and advanced the cause of freedom
    worldwide.
        This year, our Nation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the
    signing of the armistice to end armed conflict in the Korean War. We
    remember Operation Little Switch, conducted April through May 1953, that
    freed 149 American POWs, and Operation Big Switch, conducted August
    through September 1953, which returned 3,597 Americans to our country.
    Finally, Operation Glory, conducted July through November 1954, was
    responsible for the return of the remains of 2,944 Americans from North
    Korea. During this observance, we also recognize and honor the more than
    8,100 Americans still unaccounted for from the Korean War.
        This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Operation Homecoming,
    in which 591 American POWs from Vietnam were returned. We also recognize
    and honor those Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
        All of these individuals are to be honored for their strength of
    character and for the difficulties they and their families endured. From
    World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam, to the 1991 Gulf War,
    Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other conflicts, our service men and women
    have sacrificed much to secure freedom, defend the ideals of our Nation,
    and free the oppressed. By answering the call of duty and risking their
    lives to protect others, these proud patriots continue to inspire us
    today as we work with our allies to extend peace, liberty, and
    opportunity to people around the world.
        As we honor our former POWs, we are reminded of our current POWs,
    captured in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We will work to secure their
    freedom, and we pray for their speedy and safe return. These brave men
    and women in uniform follow in the footsteps of these former POWs who
    placed country above self to advance peace in a troubled world.
        Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 9, 2003, as National
    Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call upon all the people of
    the United States to join me in remembering former American prisoners of
    war by honoring the memory of their sacrifices and in praying for the
    safe return of our POWs. I also call upon Federal, State, and local
    government officials and private organizations to observe this day with
    appropriate ceremonies and activities.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, 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, 11:02 a.m., April 10,
    2003]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April
    11.