Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2005

Proclamation 7905 of May 20, 2005

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women in uniform
who have given their lives in service to our Nation.
When the stakes were highest, our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen answered the call
of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for the
security of our country and the peace of the world.

Throughout our Nation's history, members of the Armed
Forces have taken great risks to keep America strong
and free. These proud patriots have defended the
innocent, freed the oppressed, and helped spread the
promise of liberty to all corners of the earth. In
serving our Nation, they have been unrelenting in
battle, unwavering in loyalty, and unmatched in
decency. Because of their selfless courage, millions of
people who once lived under tyranny now are free, and
America is more secure.

On Memorial Day, we remember that this history of great
achievement has been accompanied by great sacrifice. To
secure our freedom, many heroic service members have
given their lives. This year we mark the 60th
anniversary of the end of World War II, and we remember
the Americans who died on distant shores defending our
Nation in that war. On Memorial Day and all year long,
we pray for the families of the fallen and show our
respect for the contributions these men and women have
made to the story of freedom. Our grateful Nation
honors their selfless service, and we acknowledge a
debt that is beyond our power to repay.

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 30, 2005, 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 urge 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
twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B