For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 30, 2001
Veterans Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the signers of the
Declaration of Independence declared that "all Men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Throughout the course of American history, courageous men and women
have taken up arms to secure, defend, and maintain these core
principles upon which our Nation's freedoms depend. On September 11,
2001, terrorists ruthlessly attacked our land and these
freedoms. The terrorists' deluded attempt to assail our
spirit failed, and our Nation's response reveals that the spirit of
freedom is as strong as ever. Our troops are now fighting
overseas to defeat terrorism, and, in that effort, they follow in the
footsteps of the 48 million men and women who, since our Nation's
founding, have stepped forward to defend our land.
Today, there are more than 25 million living veterans who served
our Nation in times of peace and war. Many of them willingly
entered harm's way to fight for our freedoms. These veterans
have diverse religious beliefs and come from varying backgrounds and
ethnicities. By their service, they kept America strong, and
they have protected our way of life from tyranny's grip for over two
centuries. At this moment, men and women of the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are serving around the
world. They represent our resolute dedication to achieving a
lasting peace out of the new challenges and threats of the 21st
century.
On Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the sacrifices of all
of those who have put on the uniform to serve in the United States
military. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love
of country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg to Iwo Jima and
the Persian Gulf. They consistently defended our ideals
across the globe; and they continue to inspire those who defend America
today, half a world away. More than a million have died in
service to America; and more than a million and a half have been
wounded. Some sustained serious injuries in combat and now
live with disabilities. Our Nation will always be grateful
for the noble sacrifices made by these veterans. We can
never adequately repay them. But we can honor and respect
them for their service.
As we consider the sacrifices and efforts of our veterans, we must
never forget that freedom comes at a cost. Therefore, I ask
all schools to observe November 11 through November 17, 2001, as
National Veterans Awareness Week, and to invite a veteran to speak at
their school. This "Lessons in Liberty" initiative will
serve to honor America's veterans, while reminding young people of the
strong principles upon which our Nation is founded. Our veterans have much to share
with our young people about liberty, patriotism, democracy, and
independence. They are living examples of the timeless truth
that freedom is not free. I call upon our veterans to serve
our country in a different way, by teaching a new generation of young
Americans the importance of the liberties they helped secure.
In respect and recognition of the contributions our service men and
women have made to the cause of peace and freedom, the Congress has
provided (5 U.S.C. 6103 (a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set
aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2001, as Veterans Day and
urge all Americans to observe November 11 through November 17, 2001, as
National Veterans Awareness Week. I urge all Americans to
recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate
public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal,
State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and
to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in their
communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations,
places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to
support this national observance with suitable commemorative
expressions and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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