National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2013

Proclamation 9021 of September 19, 2013

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our country endures because in every generation,
courageous Americans answer the call to serve in our
Armed Forces. They represent the very best of the human
spirit, stand tall for the values and freedoms we
cherish, and uphold peace and security at home and
around the globe. Today, we pay tribute to the service
members who have not returned from the battlefield, we
stand beside their families, and we honor those who are
held captive as prisoners of war. We will never forget
their sacrifice, nor will we ever abandon our
responsibility to do everything in our power to bring
them home.

America remains steadfast in our determination to
recover our missing patriots. Our work is not finished
until our heroes are returned safely to our shores or a
full accounting is provided to their loved ones. We
must care for the men and women who have served so
selflessly in our name, and we must carry forward the
legacy of those whose fates are still unknown. Today,
and every day, we express our profound appreciation to
our service members, our veterans, our military
families, and all those who placed themselves in harm's
way to sustain the virtues that are the hallmarks of
our Union.

On September 20, 2013, the stark black and white banner
symbolizing America's Missing in Action and Prisoners
of War will be flown over the White House; the United
States Capitol; the Departments of State, Defense, and
Veterans Affairs; the Selective Service System
Headquarters; the World War II Memorial; the Korean War
Veterans Memorial; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial;
United States post offices; national cemeteries; and
other locations across our country. We raise this flag
as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always
remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim September 20, 2013,
as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I urge all
Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.