Presidential Documents

30725 

Federal Register 

Vol. 73, No. 103 

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8260 of May 22, 2008 

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2008 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

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. 

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30726 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 28, 2008 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 08–1306 

Filed 5–27–08; 9:05 am] 

Billing code 3195–01–P 


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