Presidential Documents

19867 

Federal Register 

Vol. 80, No. 70 

Monday, April 13, 2015 

Title 3— 

The President 

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. 


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19868 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 70 / Monday, April 13, 2015 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2015–08606 

Filed 4–10–15; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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