[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 

PROCLAMATION 8450--OCT. 30, 2009

Proclamation 8450 of October 30, 2009
Veterans Day, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United
States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Lexington and
Concord to the service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan,
American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. Our
Nation's servicemen and women are our best and brightest, enlisting in
times of peace and war, serving with honor under the most difficult
circumstances, and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to
imagine. Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our
country's veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their
families with the essential support they were promised and have earned.
Caring for our veterans is more than a way of thanking them for their
service. It is an obligation to our fellow citizens who have risked
their lives to defend our freedom.
This selflessness binds our fates with theirs, and recognizing those who
were willing to give their last full measure of devotion for us is a
debt of honor for every American.
We also pay tribute to all who have worn the uniform and continue to
serve their country as civilians. Many veterans act as coaches,
teachers, and mentors in their communities, selflessly volunteering
their time and expertise. They visit schools to tell our Nation's
students of their experiences and help counsel our troops returning from
the theater of war. These men and women possess an unwavering belief in
the idea of America: no matter where you come from, what you look like,
or who your parents are, this is a place where anything is possible. Our
veterans continue to stand up for those timeless American ideals of
liberty, self-determination, and equal opportunity.
On Veterans Day, we honor the heroes we have lost, and we rededicate
ourselves to the next generation of veterans by supporting our Soldiers,
Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return home from
duty. Our grateful Nation must keep our solemn promises to these brave
men and women and their families. They have given their un-

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wavering devotion to the American people, and we must keep our covenant
with them.
With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our servicemen
and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world,
the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each
year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's
veterans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2009, as Veterans Day. I
encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our
veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I
call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the
United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their
communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal
organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support
this day with commemorative expressions and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fourth.
BARACK OBAMA