Loyalty Day, 2004

Proclamation 7779 of April 30, 2004

Loyalty Day, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As Americans, we work to preserve the freedom declared
by our Founding Fathers, defended by generations, and
granted to every man and woman on Earth by the
Almighty. On Loyalty Day, we are reminded that we are
citizens with obligations to our country, to each
other, and to our great legacy of freedom and
democracy.

We learn lessons of loyalty from the selfless
dedication and unwavering allegiance of our men and
women in uniform. We are grateful for their courage and
willingness to sacrifice for our country, and we stand
united behind them. Through the ``On the Homefront''
program, a USA Freedom Corps initiative, many Americans
are writing to service members, contributing to the
purchase of care packages to be sent overseas, and
helping the families of those deployed with basic
family needs such as home repairs, financial planning,
and child care. By supporting our troops and their
families, citizens are making a difference in their
communities and showing loyalty to our country through
their patriotism.

America's citizens are also demonstrating their loyalty
to our Nation through volunteer service. In answering
the call to serve something greater than self,
Americans reflect the compassion and decency that make
our country great. Through the USA Freedom Corps, my
Administration is providing information about volunteer
opportunities to Americans so they can give back to
their communities and help their fellow citizens in
need. The hard work and generosity of America's
volunteers help build a culture of service and
responsible citizenship that strengthens America and
sets a positive example for future generations.

Over the past few years, America has once again
witnessed the loyalty and character of our citizens. We
must continue to ensure that our young people know the
great cause of freedom and why it is worth defending.
Our Founders believed the study of history and
citizenship should be at the core of every American's
education. By encouraging students to learn more about
American history and values, we can help prepare the
next generation of Americans to carry our heritage of
freedom into the future. To further this goal, my
Administration has created initiatives such as ``We the
People'' and ``Our Documents'' to help bring the
stories and documents central to our history into the
modern classroom.

Loyalty Day encourages citizens to demonstrate their
commitment to our country by supporting our military,
serving each other, and teaching our young people about
our history and values. Being an American is a
privilege, and our patriotism is a living faith in our
country's founding ideals and the promise of the
American Dream.

The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has
designated May 1 of each year as ``Loyalty Day,'' and I
ask all Americans to join me in this day of celebration
and in reaffirming our allegiance to our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1,
2004, as Loyalty Day. I call upon all the people of the
United States to join in support of this national

observance. I also call upon government officials to
display the flag of the United States on all government
buildings on Loyalty Day.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B