Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009

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Part V

The President

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Proclamation 8385--Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8385 of May 22, 2009

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For over two centuries, Americans have defended our
Nation's security and protected our founding principles
of democracy and equal justice under law. On Memorial
Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price in
defense of these freedoms.

Members of the United States Armed Forces have placed
our Nation's safety before their own for generations.
From the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord to
the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, these
brave patriots have taken on great risks to keep us
safe, and they have served with honor and distinction.
All Americans who have enjoyed the blessings of peace
and liberty remain in their debt.

As we remember the selfless service of our fallen
heroes, we pray for God's grace upon them. We also pray
for all of our military personnel and veterans, their
families, and all those who have lost loved ones in the
defense of our freedom and safety.

Today, as we commend their deeds, we also bear a heavy
burden of responsibility to ensure that their
sacrifices will not have been in vain. This means that,
as we uphold the ideals for which many have given their
last full measure of devotion, the United States must
never waver in its determination to defend itself, to
be faithful in protecting liberty at home and abroad,
and to pursue peace in the world.

In respect for their dedication and service to
America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved
on May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), 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 3:00 p.m. local
time on that day as a time for all Americans to
observe, in their own way, the National Moment of
Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial
Day, May 25, 2009, 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 urge the press, radio,
television, websites, and all other 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
twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.