From the White House Staff:
On December 7, 1941, our Nation was viciously attacked at Pearl Harbor, America's Pacific Fleet was battered and broken, and more than 2,400 American lives were lost. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, America honors those brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our homeland, and we recognize those veterans who with strength and resolve defended our nation and advanced the cause of freedom during World War II.
When it mattered most, an entire generation of Americans stepped forward to protect our freedom and to defend liberty. Their devotion to duty and willingness to serve a cause greater than self helped secure our future and our way of life. Liberty prevailed because of the sacrifice of these courageous patriots, and America and her allies preserved a world where democracy could flourish. Our Nation remains forever in the debt of these brave Americans.
From the unprovoked attack at Pearl Harbor grew a steadfast resolve that has made America a defender of freedom around the world, and our mission continues as our men and women in uniform serve at home and in distant lands. Today, as we defend our Nation's founding ideals, we pay special tribute to those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, honor our veterans of World War II, and celebrate the liberty that makes America a lasting symbol of hope to the world.
The Congress, by Public Law 103 308, as amended, has designated December 7, of each year as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."
Now Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2007, 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, interested organizations, groups, and individuals 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 fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
George W. Bush
5 comments:
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
That's good. I was on a message board last night, and someone had posted a Pearl Harbor memorial thread; some commenter thought this was a random act, given it happened 66 years ago.
We are our memories, and those who lost their lives that day deserve to be remembered, as if they were the loss of our own family members. They were fellow citizens, who lived to defend our nation. And died for it.
Is it too much to ask Americans to take at least one day out of the year to remember? Or are we so ready to "move on" and to "forget" the day that should live on in the hearts and minds of all Americans, as a day of infamy?
"... a steadfast resolve that has made America a defender of freedom around the world" Amen and Amen. Very nice statement and the title National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is excellent.
Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com
Thanks for the info! Had no idea it was GW who instituted it. Indeed they do deserve to be remembered.
Chilling to visualize. My daughter has two friends who recently moved to Hawaii - I only hope they have some idea of what happened there-she and her friends seem woefully short on history, almost oblivious to who and what has gone before to make their lives basically blissful.
If you get the chance to go to DC anytime soon, you must check out the WWII memorial. It's absolutley amazing, on so many levels. Not the least of which being that it was funded with private funds.
FDR's memorial is a pretty jaw dropping spot, too.
When we were in Hawaii years back and went to the USS Arizona, I couldn't help but be struck my the sheer volume of Japanese tourists visiting alongside. It was surreal in some ways, and inspirational in others.
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