National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2017

Proclamation 9638 of September 13, 2017

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans are blessed with many freedoms thanks to the
hard-earned battle victories and tremendous sacrifices
of our military men and women. The members of our Armed
Forces shine a light of freedom throughout the world,
and as we celebrate our returning heroes, we also
remember our heroes who never returned home. On
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, our Nation recognizes
all American prisoners of war and service members
missing in action who have valiantly honored their
commitment to this great country.

It is our sacred obligation to pay tribute to the
thousands of men and women of our Armed Forces who have
been imprisoned while serving in conflicts and who have
yet to return to American soil. We reflect on the brave
Americans who, while guarding our freedom and our way
of life, spent years of their youth imprisoned in
distant lands. They paid an enormous price and remained
dedicated to our sacred principles, even while under
extreme duress.

We do not leave our fellow man or woman behind, and we
do not rest until our mission is complete. For more
than three decades, our country has conducted
investigation and recovery operations in Southeast Asia
with the help of the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and
Cambodia. Whether in Southeast Asia, or in South Korea,
Europe, the South Pacific, and in all other corners of
the globe, we are committed to this most honorable
mission of fully accounting for our missing personnel.
We are encouraged by the progress made, but know our
mission is ongoing until every Soldier, Sailor, Airman,
Coast Guardsman, and Marine missing in the line of duty
is accounted for.

As Commander in Chief, it is my solemn duty to keep all
Americans safe. I will never forget our heroes held
prisoner or who have gone missing in action while
serving their country. Today, we recognize not just the
tremendous sacrifices of our service members, but also
those of their families who still seek answers. We are
steadfastly committed to bringing solace to those who
wait for the fullest possible accounting of their loved
ones.

On September 15, 2017, 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, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 15, 2017,
as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the
people of the United States to join me in saluting all
American POWs and those missing in action who valiantly
served our 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
thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.