Veterans Day, 2020

Proclamation 10118 of November 10, 2020

Veterans Day, 2020

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's veterans have fought to defend our country,
its values, and its interests since the first days of
our founding. They have defeated tyrants, eliminated
terrorists, and secured freedom at home and abroad.
Their courage and fortitude in the face of adversity
serve as an example for all Americans. On Veterans Day,
we pause to pay tribute to all who have proudly worn
our Nation's uniform. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen,
Marines, and Coast Guardsmen selflessly placed lives,
well-being, and security of others before their own. We
enjoy the privileges of peace, prosperity, and freedom
because of our veterans, and we are forever indebted to
them beyond measure.

For their love of country and dedication to duty,
America's veterans have endured adversity, loneliness,
fatigue, loss, and made other incredible sacrifices.
Many sustained life-altering physical injuries and
disabilities; others bear the burden of emotional scars
for the remainder of their lives. Our Nation's veterans
fully understand liberty's high and precious cost, for
they have paid it every day since the formation of our
Republic.

As Commander in Chief, I have relentlessly fought to
support America's veterans. For far too long, our
Government had not fully met its obligation to provide
for ``him who shall have borne the battle, and for his
widow and his orphan.'' I recognize that this country
and its people are duty-bound to care for our
exceptional veterans, their families, and their
survivors. That is why, throughout my time in office, I
have worked tirelessly to improve the health, welfare,
and economic prosperity of these treasured people. In
just a few short years, my Administration completely
overhauled the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
removing employees who were not giving our veterans the
care and attention they deserve and making the agency
more accountable to the heroes it serves. I also signed
into law the VA MISSION Act, which gives eligible
veterans the choice to receive timely care from
providers in their own communities. In 2018, I also
signed the largest funding bill in the history of the
VA, and the VA has since benefited from record budgets
every year. In addition, I signed a Presidential
Memorandum to ensure that veterans who are totally and
permanently disabled receive the Federal student loan
forgiveness to which they are so justly entitled. We
will continue to build on these efforts and work to
create an economic environment that fosters growth and
prosperity for veterans, ensuring all of our veterans
have the opportunity to live productive civilian lives.

The mental health and welfare of our veterans is of
critical importance, and addressing this issue has been
a top priority. Tragically, an average of 20 veterans
and service members die by suicide each day. We are
striving with all our effort to end this alarming and
unacceptable reality. Last year, I launched the largest
whole-of-government program in history to end veteran
suicide, the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans
and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). I
also recently signed the Commander John Scott Hannon
Veteran Mental Health Care Improvement Act which is
strengthening VA mental health, supporting suicide
prevention efforts, and developing pilot programs
dedicated to ending veteran suicide. I have

also bolstered the Veterans Crisis Line, so that its
around-the-clock operators can deliver the best
possible intervention services to vulnerable veterans.

Our veterans represent the best of America, and they
deserve the best America can provide them. To recognize
and respect the contributions our service men and women
have made in defense of America, and to advance the
cause of peace, the Congress has provided, as outlined
in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), that November 11th of each year
shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to
recognize America's veterans. These heroes served
faithfully, humbly, and valiantly in times of war and
peace, and they carried these admirable traits into the
civilian workforce when their military service was
fulfilled. Our precious liberty has survived and
thrived because of generations of brave Americans--from
every background and walk of life--who have answered
the call to support and defend the United States. The
gravity of their contribution is immeasurable and so is
our debt to every single one of our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim November
11, 2020, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to
recognize the fortitude and sacrifice of our veterans
through public ceremonies and private thoughts and
prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local
officials to display the flag of the United States and
to participate in patriotic activities in their
communities. I call on all Americans, including civic
and fraternal organizations, places of worship,
schools, and communities to support this day with
commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.