[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19867-19868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08606]



[[Page 19865]]

Vol. 80

Monday,

No. 70

April 13, 2015

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9252--National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
2015


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 70 / Monday, April 13, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 19867]]

                Proclamation 9252 of April 8, 2015

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For more than two centuries, courageous patriots have 
                fought and sacrificed to secure the freedoms that 
                define our Nation's character and shape our way of 
                life. With honor and distinction, they have borne the 
                burdens of defending these values, enduring tremendous 
                hardship so that we might know a freer, safer, more 
                peaceful world. On National Former Prisoner of War 
                Recognition Day, we honor the women and men who traded 
                their liberty--and sometimes their lives--to protect 
                our own, and we acknowledge the profound debt of 
                gratitude we owe these extraordinary members of our 
                Armed Forces.

                Thousands of American servicemen and women have 
                experienced unimaginable trials and profound cruelty as 
                prisoners of war. Many suffered mental and physical 
                torture. Often they faced starvation, isolation, and 
                the uncertainty of indefinite captivity. But even in 
                their darkest moments, these heroes displayed courage 
                and determination. They met immense anguish with an 
                indomitable resolve and stood fast for the principles 
                in which they believed. Their sacrifice represents what 
                is best about our people and challenges us to live up 
                to our Nation's highest ideals.

                These warriors endured days, months, and sometimes 
                years of imprisonment, missing irreplaceable milestones 
                and simple moments at home. But they were never 
                forgotten; they were remembered every day by loved 
                ones. Families, friends, and communities--sustained by 
                unyielding devotion through periods of painful 
                unknown--never lost hope. And the United States of 
                America remained deeply committed to our profound 
                obligation to never leave our men and women in uniform 
                behind.

                As we reflect on the sacrifices that have made progress 
                throughout our world possible, we are reminded of our 
                solemn duty to serve our former prisoners of war, their 
                families, and all our veterans as well as they served 
                us. Today, we recommit to upholding this sacred trust, 
                and we pay tribute to all those who have given of 
                themselves to protect our Union.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 9, 2015, as 
                National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call 
                upon all Americans to observe this day of remembrance 
                by honoring all American prisoners of war, our service 
                members, and our veterans. I also call upon Federal, 
                State, and local government officials and organizations 
                to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities.

[[Page 19868]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-08606
Filed 4-10-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5