[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 20 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[Pages 636-637]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8145--Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2007

 May 15, 2007

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Memorial Day, Americans pause with solemn gratitude and deep 
respect for all our fallen service men and women who have given their 
lives for our country and our freedom.
    Through the generations, the courageous and selfless patriots of our 
Armed Forces have secured our liberty and borne its great and precious 
cost. When it has mattered most, patriots from every corner of our 
Nation have taken up arms to uphold the ideals that make our country a 
beacon of hope and freedom for the entire world. By answering the call 
of duty with valor and unrelenting determination, they have set a 
standard of courage and idealism that inspires us all.
    All Americans honor the memory of the lives that have been lost in 
defense of our freedom. Our Nation mourns them, and their example of 
strength and perseverance gives us resolve. We are also thankful to 
those who have stood by our service men and women in times of war and 
times of peace.
    Today, the members of our Armed Forces follow in a proud tradition 
handed down to them by the heroes that served before them. They are 
protecting our Nation, advancing the blessings of freedom, and laying 
the foundation for a more peaceful tomorrow through service that 
exemplifies the good and decent character of our Nation. America is 
grateful to all those who have worn the uniform of the Armed Forces of 
the United States, and we will never forget their sacrifices for our 
liberty.
    On Memorial Day, we honor all those who have fallen by remembering 
their noble sacrifice for freedom. We also pray for our troops, their 
families, and for the peace we all seek.
    In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint 
resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), has 
requested the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of 
the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for 
permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of 
the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 
106-579, has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local 
time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe the National 
Moment of Remembrance.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 28, 2007, as a day of 
prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each 
locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also 
ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance 
beginning at 3:00 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day. I encourage the 
media to participate in these observances. I also request the Governors 
of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the 
appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the 
flag be flown at half staff

[[Page 637]]

until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval 
vessels throughout the United States, and in all areas under its 
jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of the United States 
to display the flag at half staff from their homes for the customary 
forenoon period.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, 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, 11:29 a.m., May 17, 
2007]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 18. 
The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
version of this proclamation.