[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 37 (Monday, September 18, 2006)]
[Page 1607]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8051--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2006

 September 14, 2006

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    As a Nation, we look to our service men and women as examples of 
courage and sacrifice. When our country and the world have needed brave 
Americans to advance the cause of freedom, our men and women in uniform 
have proudly stepped forward and selflessly endured hardships to defend 
liberty. We are grateful to all who have served, and on National POW/MIA 
Recognition Day, we give special honor to the extraordinary patriots who 
have been prisoners of war and to those who are still missing in action. 
We take inspiration from their valor and loyalty and will not rest until 
we have accounted for them all.
    On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the National League of Families 
POW/MIA flag is flown over the White House, the Capitol, the Departments 
of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 
Korean War Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, U.S. military 
installations, national cemeteries, and other locations across our 
country. The POW/MIA flag is a symbol of our Nation's resolve never to 
forget the service and great sacrifice of the heroes who have carried 
out liberty's urgent and noble mission, even at the cost of their own 
freedom. On this day, we express our deep appreciation to each of our 
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines and our enduring commitment to 
achieve the fullest possible accounting for all of our men and women in 
uniform who have been prisoners of war or are missing in action.
     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 Friday, September 15, 
2006, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the people of the 
United States to join me in paying solemn tribute to all former American 
prisoners of war and those missing in action who valiantly served our 
great country. I 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 fourteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 
18, 2006]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 19.