Presidential Documents

25383 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 100 

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8385 of May 22, 2009 

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

For over two centuries, Americans have defended our Nation’s security 

and protected our founding principles of democracy and equal justice under 

law. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price 

in defense of these freedoms. 

Members of the United States Armed Forces have placed our Nation’s safety 

before their own for generations. From the first shots fired at Lexington 

and Concord to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, these brave 

patriots have taken on great risks to keep us safe, and they have served 

with honor and distinction. All Americans who have enjoyed the blessings 

of peace and liberty remain in their debt. 

As we remember the selfless service of our fallen heroes, we pray for 

God’s grace upon them. We also pray for all of our military personnel 

and veterans, their families, and all those who have lost loved ones in 

the defense of our freedom and safety. 

Today, as we commend their deeds, we also bear a heavy burden of responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices will not have been in vain. This means 

that, as we uphold the ideals for which many have given their last full 

measure of devotion, the United States must never waver in its determination 

to defend itself, to be faithful in protecting liberty at home and abroad, 

and to pursue peace in the world. 

In respect for their dedication and service to America, the Congress, by 

a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), 

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 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time 

for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of 

Remembrance. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 25, 2009, 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 urge the press, radio, television, 

websites, and all other 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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25384 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 27, 2009 / 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 nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. 

[FR Doc. E9–12509 

Filed 5–26–09; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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