[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 37 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Page 1220]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8290--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2008

 September 17, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the brave and 
patriotic Americans who were held as prisoners of war, and we remember 
those who are still missing in action. For their valor and selfless 
devotion to protect the country they love, our Nation owes them a debt 
we can never fully repay. On this day we underscore our commitment and 
pledge to those who are still missing in action and to their families 
that we will not rest until we have achieved the fullest possible 
accounting for every member of our Armed Forces missing in the line of 
duty.
    To observe this important day, the National League of Families POW/
MIA flag is flown over the Capitol, the White House, the World War II 
Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial, and other locations across our country. The flag is a solemn 
reminder of our Nation's enduring obligation and promise to our 
courageous service members who remain missing and a tribute to those who 
have been imprisoned while serving their country in conflicts around the 
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 Friday, September 19, 
2008, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the people of the 
United States to join me in honoring and remembering all former American 
prisoners of war and those missing in action for their valiant service 
to our Nation. 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 seventeenth 
day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., September 
18, 2008]

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