12 2 STA T .5397PROCL A M AT I O N8 32 6—DE C.5 , 2 0 08 Proclam a ti o n8326 o fDe cem b er 5, 2 0 08 Nation a lPe a r l H ar b or R e m embran c e D a y,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 OnNatio na lPe a r l H ar b or R e m embran c e D a y,w emo u rnt h e more than 2 , 40 0 A merican s whose li v es were lost in the sur p rise attac k on our homelan d that chan g ed the course o f history .T heir service and sac - rifice and the service and sacrifice of all our W orld War I I veterans will be forever honored on this day by the citi z ens of a free and grateful Nation. On December 7 , 19 41, the enemy nearly destroyed our Pacific F leet, and the U nited S tates was forced into a long and terrible war. A gen- eration of Americans stepped forward to fight for our country. Their message to America ’ s enemies was clear
If you attack this country and harm our people, there is no corner of the E arth remote enough to pro- tect you from the reach of our Nation’s Armed Forces. Following the war the United States worked to make our most bitter enemies into our closest friends through the transformative power of freedom. The j oys of liberty are often secured by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than self. To honor and recognize the sac- rifice of our Armed Forces, I have designated nine sites as the World War II V alor in the Pacific National M onument. This monument will preserve our history and help share this heritage with future genera- tions. On this anniversary, we honor the heroes who risked and lost their lives for our security and freedom. Their selfless dedication e x - emplifies the great character of America and continues to inspire our Nation. The C ongress, by Public L aw 10 3– 30 8 , as amended, has designated De- cember 7 of each year as ‘ ‘National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.’’ NOW, THEREFORE, I, G EORGE W. B USH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2008, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individ- uals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. GEORGE W. BUSH
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