Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 13, 2023 / Presidential Documents 62693 

Proclamation 10622 of September 8, 2023 

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 

2023 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Today we remember all the heroes who were forged in the hours, days, 

and years that followed that terrible morning of September 11, 2001—ordinary Americans who, amidst the terror, smoke, and flames, demonstrated 

extraordinary courage and selflessness. Together, their bravery helped prove 

to our Nation and the world that what those terrorists most hoped to wound 

could never be broken: the character of our Nation. 

In the crucible that was September 11th, we saw just how deep that character 

goes. We saw it in the civilians, service members, and first responders 

who leapt into action that day, running into the searing flames and crumbling 

buildings—risking and losing their own lives to save others. We saw it 

in the incredible courage and resolve of the passengers on board Flight 

93, who refused to let their plane be used as a weapon against more innocent 

Americans. We saw it in the police officers and firefighters who returned 

to the twisted steel and broken concrete slabs of Ground Zero and the 

Pentagon for months—breathing in toxins and ash that would damage their 

own health but nonetheless refusing to stop searching through the destruction. And we saw it in the millions of Americans across our country who 

responded to the September 11th attacks by signing up to defend our Constitution and join the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. 

In the years since September 11th, hundreds of thousands of American 

troops have served—and sacrificed—around the world to deny terrorists 

safe haven and protect the American people. The First Lady and I hold 

in our hearts all those whose loved ones gave their last full measure of 

devotion in this fight. We owe them—and all our veterans and Gold Star 

Families as well as their survivors, caregivers, and loved ones—a debt of 

gratitude. While we can never fully repay that debt, we will never fail 

to meet our sacred obligation: to prepare and equip all those we send 

into harm’s way and care for them and their families when they return. 

In honor of all the lives we lost 22 years ago—and in honor of all the 

heroes who have given their whole souls to the cause of this Nation every 

moment since—may today not only be observed with solemn remembrance 

but also with renewal and resolve. And I invite all Americans to observe 

this day with service; you can find opportunities to volunteer in your 

community by visiting americorps.gov/911-day. Together, may we continue 

to demonstrate that the rights and freedoms that those terrorists sought 

to destroy on September 11, 2001, remain unwavering—strengthened by 

generations of Americans who have dared all and risked all to defend, 

protect, and preserve our democracy. 

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107–89), 

the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as ‘‘Patriot Day,’’ 

and by Public Law 111–13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has 

requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized ‘‘National Day of Service and Remembrance.’’ 


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62694 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 13, 2023 / Presidential Documents 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2023, as Patriot Day and 

National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, 

agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of 

the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service 

and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and its Territories 

and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. 

I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community 

service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate 

ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe 

a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor 

the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on 

September 11, 2001. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day 

of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and 

of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 

and forty-eighth. 

[FR Doc. 2023–19924 

Filed 9–12–23; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3395–F3–P 


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