Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2007

Proclamation 8145 of May 15, 2006

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Memorial Day, Americans pause with solemn gratitude
and deep respect for all our fallen service men and
women who have given their lives for our country and
our freedom.

Through the generations, the courageous and selfless
patriots of our Armed Forces have secured our liberty
and borne its great and precious cost. When it has
mattered most, patriots from every corner of our Nation
have taken up arms to uphold the ideals that make our
country a beacon of hope and freedom for the entire
world. By answering the call of duty with valor and
unrelenting determination, they have set a standard of
courage and idealism that inspires us all.

All Americans honor the memory of the lives that have
been lost in defense of our freedom. Our Nation mourns
them, and their example of strength and perseverance
gives us resolve. We are also thankful to those who
have stood by our service men and women in times of war
and times of peace.

Today, the members of our Armed Forces follow in a
proud tradition handed down to them by the heroes that
served before them. They are protecting our Nation,
advancing the blessings of freedom, and laying the
foundation for a more peaceful tomorrow through service
that exemplifies the good and decent character of our
Nation. America is grateful to all those who have worn
the uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States,
and we will never forget their sacrifices for our
liberty.

On Memorial Day, we honor all those who have fallen by
remembering their noble sacrifice for freedom. We also
pray for our troops, their families, and for the peace
we all seek.

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 28, 2007, 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
fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.