**Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2008**

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who have laid down their lives in
the cause of freedom, resolve that they will forever be remembered by a
grateful Nation, and pray that our country may always prove worthy of
the sacrifices they have made.

Throughout our Nation\'s history, our course has been secured by brave
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. These
courageous and selfless warriors have stepped forward to protect the
Nation they love, fight for America\'s highest ideals, and show millions
that a future of liberty is possible. Freedoms come at great costs, yet
the world has been transformed in unimaginable ways because of the noble
service and devotion to duty of these brave individuals. Our country
honors the sacrifice made by those who have given their lives to spread
the blessings of liberty and lay the foundations of peace, and we mourn
their loss.

Today, our service men and women continue to inspire and strengthen our
Nation, going above and beyond the call of duty as part of the greatest
military the world has ever known. Americans are grateful to all those
who have put on our Nation\'s uniform and to their families, and we will
always remember their service and sacrifice for our freedoms.

On this solemn day our country unites to pay tribute to the fallen, who
demonstrated the strength of their convictions and paid the cost of
freedom. We pray for the members of our Armed Forces and their families,
and we ask for God\'s continued guidance of our country.

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 26, 2008, 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 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 twenty-second day
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH