12 2 STA T .5384PROCL A M AT I O N 8318 — NO V . 7, 2 0 08 Fromthefi e ldsan d forests of w ar - torn Eu ro p etothe j un g les of S outh- east A sia , from the deserts of I ra q to the mountains of Afghanistan, b ra v e patriots have prote c ted our N ation ’ s ideals, rescued millions from t y ranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe . America’s veterans answered the call when as k ed to protect our Nation from some of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants, terrorists, and militaries the world has ever known. T hey stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history. M embers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and C oast G uard have answered a high calling to serve and have helped se- cure America at every turn. O ur country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and e x emplary service. W e also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom’s defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On V eterans D ay, we re- member these heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to ad- vance peace and extend freedom around the world. With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5U .S.C. 6103 (a ) ) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor Amer- ica’s veterans. NOW, T H E R EFORE, I, GEORGE W. B USH, P resident of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2 00 8 , as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Ameri- cans to recogni z e the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative ex- pressions and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclam a ti o n831 8o fN o ve m b er 7,20 08 WorldF r e edo mDay,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation On World Freedom Day, we celebrate the anniversary of the historic fall of the Berlin Wall and honor the brave citizens of East and West Germany who helped secure freedom and liberty for future genera- tions.
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