National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2003

Proclamation 7707 of September 18, 2003

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The sacrifice and service of America's veterans,
including those who became prisoners of war or who went
missing in action, have preserved freedom for America
and brought freedom to millions around the world. On
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the
extraordinary courage of the Americans who have been
prisoners of war, and we pray for those who are still
missing in action and unaccounted for. This Nation also
remembers the challenges and heartache endured by the
families of prisoners of war and missing in action. We
seek answers for the families of those who are still
missing, and we will not rest until we have a full
accounting.

To mark this important day, on September 19, 2003, the
flag of the National League of Families of American
Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia will again be
flown over the White House, the Capitol, the
Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs,
the Selective Service System Headquarters, the National
Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials,
U.S. military installations, national cemeteries, and
other locations across our country. We raise this flag
as a reminder and a promise. The black-and-white flag
is a symbol that these missing Americans will not be
forgotten, and is flown as a testament to our
Government's unwavering commitment to pursue the
fullest possible accounting for all our missing in
action service members.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 19, 2003, as
National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the
people of the United States to join me in saluting all
American POWs who valiantly served this great country.
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
eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand three, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.

(Presidential Sig.)B