Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3674

 123STA T . 3 654PROCL A M AT I O N8 385 — MA Y 22 , 2 0 0 9Proclam a ti o n83 8 5 o fM a y2 2 , 2 0 0 9Praye r fo r Pea c e ,M e m or i a lD ay, 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 For o ve r tw o c e n t u r i e s,Am eric a ns h ave d e f ended our N ation ’ s securit y and p rotected our foundin g princip l es of democracy and e q ual j ustice under law .O n M emorial D ay, we honor those who have paid the ulti - mate price in defense of these freedoms. Mem b ers of the U nited S tates Armed Forces have placed our Nation’s safety before their own for generations. From the first shots fired at L e x ington and C oncord to the current conflicts in I raq and Afghani- stan, these brave patriots have ta k en on great risks to keep us safe, and they have served with honor and distinction. All Americans who have enjoyed the blessings of peace and liberty remain in their debt. As we remember the selfless service of our fallen heroes, we pray for G od’s grace upon them. W e also pray for all of our military personnel and veterans, their families, and all those who have lost loved ones in the defense of our freedom and safety. T oday, as we commend their deeds, we also bear a heavy burden of responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices will not have been in vain. This means that, as we uphold the ideals for which many have given their last full measure of devotion, the United States must never waver in its determination to defend itself, to be faithful in protecting liberty at home and abroad, and to pursue peace in the world. In respect for their dedication and service to America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 1 1,1 950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116 ) , has requested the P resident 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 – 5 7 9, has also designated 3 00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of R emembrance. NOW, T HE REFORE, I, B ARAC K OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 2 5, 2009, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour begin- ning 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 Re- membrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. I urge the press, radio, television, websites, and all other 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 juris- diction and control. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary fore- noon period. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sec- ond day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of