National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2005

Proclamation 7966 of November 28, 2005

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pray for
those lost on December 7, 1941, and we honor the
courage of a generation of Americans who devoted
themselves to one of the great missions in our
country's history. After the surprise attack on Pearl
Harbor took more than 2,400 American lives, millions of
our citizens answered the call to defend our liberty,
and the world witnessed the power of freedom to
overcome tyranny.

Liberty's ultimate triumph was far from clear in the
early days of World War II. When our country was
attacked at Pearl Harbor, America was emerging from the
Great Depression, and several nations had larger armies
than the United States. In Asia and Europe, country
after country had fallen before the armies of
militaristic tyrants. However, the brave and determined
men and women of our Nation maintained their faith in
the power of freedom and democracy. They fought and won
a world war against two of the most ruthless regimes
the world has ever known. In the years since those
victories, the power of freedom and democracy has
transformed America's enemies in World War II into
close friends.

Today, our goal is to continue to spread freedom and
democracy and to secure a more peaceful world for our
children and grandchildren. We are grateful to the men
and women who are defending our flag and our freedom in
the first war of the 21st century. These patriots are
protecting our country and our way of life by upholding
the tradition of honor, bravery, and integrity
demonstrated by those who fought for our Nation in
World War II. The service and sacrifice of our World
War II veterans continue to inspire people across our
country, and we remain deeply grateful for all that
these heroes have done for the cause of freedom.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has
designated December 7 of each year as ``National Pearl
Harbor Remembrance Day.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim December
7, 2005, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I
encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion
with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all
Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and
individuals to fly the flag of the United States at
half-staff this December 7 in honor of those who died
as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B