Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3753

 123STA T . 3 7 33 PROCL A M AT I O N8450— OCT. 30 , 200 9sti t u ti ona n d t hel a w so f the U nited S tates , do he r e byp ro c lai mN o v em - ber 20 0 9 as National Native A merican H erita g e M onth .I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 2 7, 2009, as Native American Heritage D ay. IN W I T N E SS WHE R E OF , I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. B ARA CK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8450 o fO cto be r 3 0 ,2 00 9Vet e ransD a y,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 We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Le x - ington and Concord to the service members who served in Ira q and Af- ghanistan, American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and re- spect. Our Nation ’ s servicemen and women are our best and brightest, enlisting in times of peace and war, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances, and ma k ing sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine. Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country’s veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their families with the essential support they were promised and have earned. Caring for our veterans is more than a way of thanking them for their service. It is an obligation to our fellow citi z ens who have risked their lives to defend our freedom. This selflessness binds our fates with theirs, and recognizing those who were willing to give their last full measure of devotion for us is a debt of honor for every American. We also pay tribute to all who have worn the uniform and continue to serve their country as civilians. Many veterans act as coaches, teach- ers, and mentors in their communities, selflessly volunteering their time and expertise. They visit schools to tell our Nation’s students of their experiences and help counsel our troops returning from the the- ater of war. These men and women possess an unwavering belief in the idea of America no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who your parents are, this is a place where anything is pos- sible. Our veterans continue to stand up for those timeless American ideals of liberty, self-determination, and equal opportunity. On V eterans Day, we honor the heroes we have lost, and we rededicate ourselves to the next generation of veterans by supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast G uardsmen as they return home from duty. Our grateful Nation must keep our solemn promises to these brave men and women and their families. They have given their un-