Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2008

Proclamation 8260 of May 22, 2008

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who have laid down
their lives in the cause of freedom, resolve that they
will forever be remembered by a grateful Nation, and
pray that our country may always prove worthy of the
sacrifices they have made.

Throughout our Nation's history, our course has been
secured by brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines,
and Coast Guardsmen. These courageous and selfless
warriors have stepped forward to protect the Nation
they love, fight for America's highest ideals, and show
millions that a future of liberty is possible. Freedoms
come at great costs, yet the world has been transformed
in unimaginable ways because of the noble service and
devotion to duty of these brave individuals. Our
country honors the sacrifice made by those who have
given their lives to spread the blessings of liberty
and lay the foundations of peace, and we mourn their
loss.

Today, our service men and women continue to inspire
and strengthen our Nation, going above and beyond the
call of duty as part of the greatest military the world
has ever known. Americans are grateful to all those who
have put on our Nation's uniform and to their families,
and we will always remember their service and sacrifice
for our freedoms.

On this solemn day our country unites to pay tribute to
the fallen, who demonstrated the strength of their
convictions and paid the cost of freedom. We pray for
the members of our Armed Forces and their families, and
we ask for God's continued guidance of our country.

In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress,
by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as
amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President 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 106-579,
has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m.
local time on that day as a time for all Americans to
observe the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial
Day, May 26, 2008, as a day of prayer for permanent
peace, and I designate the hour beginning 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 Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m.,
local time, on Memorial Day. I encourage the 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 jurisdiction and
control. I also request the people of the United States
to display the flag at half staff from their homes for
the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.