[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.