123STA T . 3 748PROCL A M AT I O N 84 65—DE C. 15 , 2 0 0 9Indep enden c e ofth e U n i ted S t a te s of Am e r ica the t w oh u ndred and thirt y- fourth .B A R A CKO BA M A Proclam a ti o n8465 o fDe cem b er 1 5 ,20 0 965thAn n iversa r yof the B att l eoftheB u l g e ,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation In D ecem b er 194 4 , a bra v e band of American so l diers, stationed in the Ardennes F orest re g ion on the W estern Front of E urope, who were sur- rounded, poorly supplied and surviving in brutally cold conditions, too k the brunt of a furious G erman assault. T heir valor defined not j ust the beginning of the end of a World War, but also one of the greatest generations of Americans. L ike patriots before them, they stood reso- lute, confident in their training, and determined to preserve those en- during American ideals of freedom and justice. On the 65 th Anniver- sary of the Battle of the Bulge, a grateful N ation remembers the fallen who gave their lives in that critical battle, and we pay tribute to the heroes whose indomitable strength led to victory in World War II. When asked about the Battle of the Bulge, British P rime Minister Sir Winston Churchill remarked, ‘ ‘This is undoubtedly the greatest Amer- ican battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory. ’ ’ Confronting not just the advancing German Army, but the elements, American service members withstood the assault and eventually repelled the Na z i forces, but at tremendous cost in lives and wounded soldiers. On this anniversary, we reflect on the enduring commitment of our Armed Forces in defending our liberty, as inspiring today as it was in 1944. The discipline and courage displayed in the Battle of the Bulge continues in Ira q , Afghanistan, and wherever our men and women in uniform are serving. They represent the best of our Nation and we are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice. NOW, T H EREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, December 16, 20 09, as the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of December, 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
