[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 30 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Pages 968-969]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7692--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2003

July 24, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    When North Korean troops invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the 
United States took immediate action to defend the freedom

[[Page 969]]

of a people unjustly attacked. Leading a coalition of 20 other 
countries, American and South Korean troops fought to advance liberty 
and opportunity and to overcome cruelty and repression. More than 1.7 
million Americans faced forbidding terrain and harsh combat in battles 
such as Pork Chop Hill, Heartbreak Ridge, the Pusan Perimeter, and the 
Chosin Reservoir. Throughout the conflict, the members of our Armed 
Forces demonstrated extraordinary honor, skill, and courage.
    The Military Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953, ended 3 years of 
bitter warfare on the Korean Peninsula and stopped the spread of 
Communism in Korea, signaling to the world America's resolve to stand 
against tyranny and totalitarian regimes. Fifty years later, our Nation 
remains grateful for the bravery and sacrifice of our Korean War 
veterans. They defended human freedom, liberated the oppressed, and 
selflessly protected the democratic ideals that made our Nation strong. 
Their efforts reflect the honorable and decent spirit of America. More 
than 34,000 of America's service men and women gave their lives in 
battle in the Korean War. As we continue our fight to extend freedom 
today, we remember and honor their sacrifices and those of their 
families.
    Thanks in large measure to the veterans of the Korean War, South 
Korea today stands as a shining example of the economic and social 
benefits of democracy. As we observe the 50th anniversary of the 
Armistice, America looks forward to the day when the stability of the 
Korean Peninsula is built on peaceful reconciliation of North and South. 
We pledge to work with the Republic of Korea to further our shared 
values of democracy, human rights, and free enterprise. And we will 
continue to build upon the comprehensive and dynamic relationship 
between our two nations to promote peace and prosperity on the Korean 
Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
    The Congress, by Public Law 104-19 as amended (36 U.S.C. 127), has 
designated July 27, 2003, 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, 2003, as National Korean War 
Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans 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, 2003, in 
memory of the Americans who died as a result of their service in the 
Korean War.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth 
day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:38 a.m., July 25, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 
28.