Presidential Documents

51547 

Federal Register 

Vol. 82, No. 213 

Monday, November 6, 2017 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9670 of November 1, 2017 

National Veterans and Military Families Month, 2017 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

During National Veterans and Military Families Month, we honor the significant contributions made by American service members, their families, and 

their loved ones. We set aside this month surrounding Veterans Day to 

hold observances around the country to honor and thank those whose service 

and sacrifice represent the very best of America. We renew our Nation’s 

commitment to support veterans and military families. They deserve it. 

Our veterans are our heroes. Our Armed Forces have preserved the security 

and freedom that allow us to flourish as a Nation. They have braved bitter 

winters, treacherous jungles, barren deserts, and stormy waters to defend 

our Nation. They have left their families to face danger and uncertainty, 

and they have endured the wounds of war, all to protect our Nation’s 

interests and ideals established during the Founding. 

Our military families endure many hardships along with those who defend 

our Nation. They are separated from their loved ones for months on end 

and frequently relocated across the country and around the world. They 

often live far from their extended families, and they know what it is like 

to celebrate holidays and milestones with an empty seat at the table. Many 

military spouses face the task of making ends meet while their loved ones 

are away and of securing new employment with each change in duty station. 

Children of service members often grow up living a nomadic life—periodically calling a new place ‘‘home’’ and adjusting to different schools, trying 

out for new sports teams, and making new friends. In these lives of frequent 

change and transition, however, our incredible military families not only 

survive, they thrive. 

It is our patriotic duty to honor veterans and military families. As part 

of our efforts to answer President Lincoln’s charge to care for those who 

have ‘‘borne the battle,’’ I have asked the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) to lead the Nation in a month of observances across the country 

to honor our veterans. 

As veterans and military families attend these events, they will see the 

reforms and improvements that we have made at the VA. Over the last 

9 months, we have made important changes that enable better service for 

our veterans. We have increased accountability and enhanced protections 

for whistleblowers. We have improved transparency, customer service, and 

continuity of care. We are working every day to ensure a future of high 

quality care and timely access to the benefits veterans have earned through 

their devoted service to a grateful Nation. 

This month, in which Americans traditionally pause to give thanks for 

our blessings, it is fitting that we come together to honor with gratitude 

our extraordinary veterans and military families and their service to our 

country. May God continue to bless our Armed Forces and those families 

that love and support them. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 November 2017 


Pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with PRES DOCS
51548 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 213 / Monday, November 6, 2017 / Presidential Documents 

as National Veterans and Military Families Month. I encourage all communities, all sectors of society, and all Americans to acknowledge and honor 

the service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans and military families 

for what they have done and for what they do every day to support our 

great Nation. 

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

November, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the 

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

[FR Doc. 2017–24299 

Filed 11–3–17; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F8–P 


Pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with PRES DOCSTrump.EPS</GPH>