National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 1997

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Part IX

The President

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Proclamation 7014--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 1997

Proclamation 7015--Parents' Day, 1997

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7014 of July 25, 1997

National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On July 27, 1953, a negotiated cease-fire brought an
end to the Korean War and to some of the most savage
fighting in the history of America's Armed Forces. More
than 54,000 Americans lost their lives, more than
103,000 were wounded, and thousands more were listed as
missing in action. To a nation still recovering from
the terrors and hardships of World War II, this
conflict was a harsh reminder that freedom still had
enemies at large in the world.

But the Korean War taught us that free nations could
work together in partnership through the United
Nations, standing firm against tyranny and in defense
of liberty. We were reminded once again of the skill,
courage, and indomitable spirit of our men and women in
uniform. We learned that the American people were tough
enough and determined enough to prevail in the long
struggle of the Cold War.

Our victory in that struggle had its roots in the
Korean War, and we owe our veterans of that conflict a
profound debt of gratitude. Many of them were still
scarred from the battles of World War II when they
answered the call to duty in Korea. They fought a
different kind of war in an unfamiliar land, facing a
new and fiercely determined enemy. There they proved to
all the enemies of freedom, and to the world, that
America's commitment to liberty, democracy, and human
rights was not only one of words, but also one of
deeds.

Etched into the eastern wall of the Korean War
Veterans Memorial in our Nation's Capital is the simple
sentence, ``Freedom Is Not Free.'' On this day we honor
those who recognized the truth of that inscription and
were willing to pay freedom's price with their own
lives. We salute our men and women in uniform who
served so valiantly in the Korean War, and we remember
with sorrow and with pride all those who never came
home.

The Congress, by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 169m),
has designated July 27, 1997, as ``National Korean War
Veterans Armistice Day'' and has authorized and
requested the President to issue a proclamation in
observance of this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July
27, 1997, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice
Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and
give thanks to our Nation's distinguished Korean War
veterans. I also ask Federal departments and agencies,
interested groups, organizations, and individuals to
fly the American flag at half-staff on July 27, 1997,
in memory of the Americans who died as a result of
their service in Korea.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-second.