Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2022 / Presidential Documents 22099 

Proclamation 10367 of April 8, 2022 

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 2022 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino prisoners 

of war began what would become known to history as the Bataan Death 

March. Thousands died during the march, but the indomitable spirit of 

those prisoners was never broken. Eighty years later, our Nation continues 

to honor their courage and recognize the more than half a million service 

members who sacrificed their own freedom as prisoners of war to ensure 

that our Nation and the values of freedom and democracy always prevail. 

Former prisoners of war stand among the bravest of our Nation. They fought 

valiantly and served with honor—and under often agonizing conditions as 

prisoners, they demonstrated incredible personal courage, love of country, 

and devotion to duty. Through their extraordinary sacrifices and selflessness, 

they helped ensure freedom for millions of people. They are heroes. 

I join all Americans in expressing our deepest gratitude to every service 

member who has endured being a prisoner of war and to their families, 

caregivers, and survivors. Their service—knowing all the risk and danger 

it could bring—is a credit to their character and to our Nation. On this 

day and every day, we remember the hardships of captivity they survived 

in service to our Nation. We also remember all the brave women and 

men who died as prisoners in foreign lands during our Nation’s past wars, 

and we grieve with those at home who prayed for their loved ones’ return. 

Their faith, love of family, and devotion to our Nation inspire us all, and 

we will always remember their sacrifices. 

Today, our brave men and women in uniform carry on the rich legacy 

of our former prisoners of war—unrelenting in battle, unwavering in loyalty, 

unmatched in decency, and prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice on 

behalf of our Nation. 

May God bless our former prisoners of war and their families, and may 

God protect our troops. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 2022, as 

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call upon Americans 

to observe this day by honoring the service and sacrifice of all former 

prisoners of war as our Nation expresses its eternal gratitude for their sacrifice. 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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22100 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2022 / Presidential Documents 

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

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

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2022–08080 

Filed 4–12–22; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3395–F2–P 


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