For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 20, 2005
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women in uniform who have given
their lives in service to our Nation. When the stakes were highest,
our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen answered
the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for the security of
our country and the peace of the world.
Throughout our Nation's history, members of the Armed Forces have
taken great risks to keep America strong and free. These proud
patriots have defended the innocent, freed the oppressed, and helped
spread the promise of liberty to all corners of the earth. In serving
our Nation, they have been unrelenting in battle, unwavering in
loyalty, and unmatched in decency. Because of their selfless courage,
millions of people who once lived under tyranny now are free, and
America is more secure.
On Memorial Day, we remember that this history of great achievement
has been accompanied by great sacrifice. To secure our freedom, many
heroic service members have given their lives. This year we mark the
60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and we remember the
Americans who died on distant shores defending our Nation in that war.
On Memorial Day and all year long, we pray for the families of the
fallen and show our respect for the contributions these men and women
have made to the story of freedom. Our grateful Nation honors their
selfless service, and we acknowledge a debt that is beyond our power to
repay.
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 30, 2005, 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 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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