National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2000

Proclamation 7340 of September 14, 2000

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the onset of
the Korean War and the 25th anniversary of the end of
the war in Vietnam. For many Americans, these
milestones bring difficult memories; for former
prisoners of war and the families of those still
missing in action, these anniversaries evoke
particularly painful memories and emotions.

In both of these conflicts, hundreds of thousands of
brave Americans left their homes and families to defend
freedom and democracy in the face of communist
aggression. Thousands lost their lives in battle, and
the fate of 10,000 Americans is still unknown--they are
missing in action. We know that many Americans held
captive were subjected to unspeakable horrors, but
throughout maintained their honor, strong faith in our
Nation, and indomitable spirit.

There are approximately 50,000 courageous former POWs
living among us, including those held captive during
World War II. Many still cope with the physical and
emotional effects of their captivity. We owe a profound
debt of gratitude to these quiet heroes who served our
Nation so well and sacrificed so much. And to the
families of those still missing in action, we pledge
our unwavering commitment to achieve the fullest
possible accounting for their loved ones and to seek
the recovery, repatriation, and identification of the
remains of those who have died.

On September 15, 2000, the flag of the National League
of Families of American Prisoners of War and Missing in
Southeast Asia, a black and white banner symbolizing
America's missing service members and our unshakable
resolve to ascertain their fate, will be flown over the
White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Departments of
State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective
Service System Headquarters, the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, national
cemeteries, and other locations across our country--a
powerful reminder to the world that we will keep faith
with those who so faithfully served America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim September 15, 2000, as
National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon all
Americans to join me in remembering former American
prisoners of war who suffered the hardships of enemy
captivity and those missing in action whose fate is
still undetermined. I call upon Federal, State, and
local government officials and private organizations to
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and
activities.

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