BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Lexington and Concord to the service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. Our Nation's servicemen and women are our best and brightest, enlisting in times of peace and war, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances, and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine. Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country's veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their families with the essential support they were promised and have earned.
Caring for our veterans is more than a way of thanking them for their service. It is an obligation to our fellow citizens who have risked their lives to defend our freedom. This selflessness binds our fates with theirs, and recognizing those who were willing to give their last full measure of devotion for us is a debt of honor for every American.
We also pay tribute to all who have worn the uniform and continue to serve their country as civilians. Many veterans act as coaches, teachers, and mentors in their communities, selflessly volunteering their time and expertise. They visit schools to tell our Nation's students of their experiences and help counsel our troops returning from the theater of war.These men and women possess an unwavering belief in the idea of America: no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who your parents are, this is a place where anything is possible. Our veterans continue to stand up for those timeless American ideals of liberty, self-determination, and equal opportunity.
On Veterans Day, we honor the heroes we have lost, and we rededicate ourselves to the next generation of veterans by supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return home from duty. Our grateful Nation must keep our solemn promises to these brave men and women and their families. They have given their unwavering devotion tothe American people, and we must keep our covenant with them.
***
The VFW offers a
pledge:
Since our forefathers founded this country, America’s military has battled to keep it—to keep us—safe. To honor every veteran who has fought for freedom, Veterans Day became an officially recognized day of remembrance in 1954.
On Veterans Day, we remember the fallen and pay tribute to those heroes who still fight. Please pause this November 11 to pay your respects to every service member who has ever honorably worn the uniform.
Join with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and thousands of other patriotic Americans this Veterans Day in pledging your support of the men and women of our valiant military.
This Veterans Day, I pledge to honor America’s veterans and military. I pledge to:
* Reflect upon the sacrifice of America’s warriors. I will observe a moment of silence on Veterans Day with my family and encourage my friends and co-workers to do the same.
* Spread the word about the real meaning of Veterans Day. Because it’s not just a “day off work.” It’s a time to remember our American freedoms come at a cost.
* Show my American Pride. I will fly the United States flag and stand reverently during the Pledge of Allegiance. This show of respect shows our veterans they are not forgotten.
I pledge to remember America’s veterans in word and deed. I pledge to honor and respect the United States flag and the men and women who fight, and have fought, to protect our country.
A Grateful American,
And another form of pledge at
Valour-IT.
No comments:
Post a Comment