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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 20, 2005
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women in uniform who have given their
lives in service to our Nation. When the stakes were highest, our Soldiers,
Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen answered the call of duty and
made the ultimate sacrifice for the security of our country and the peace of
the world.
Throughout our Nation's history, members of the Armed Forces have taken
great risks to keep America strong and free. These proud patriots have
defended the innocent, freed the oppressed, and helped spread the promise of
liberty to all corners of the earth. In serving our Nation, they have been
unrelenting in battle, unwavering in loyalty, and unmatched in decency.
Because of their selfless courage, millions of people who once lived under
tyranny now are free, and America is more secure.
On Memorial Day, we remember that this history of great achievement has been
accompanied by great sacrifice. To secure our freedom, many heroic service
members have given their lives. This year we mark the 60th anniversary of
the end of World War II, and
we remember the Americans who died on distant shores defending our Nation in
that war. On Memorial Day and all year long, we pray for the families of the
fallen and show our respect for the contributions these men and women have
made to the story of freedom. Our grateful Nation honors their selfless
service, and we acknowledge a debt that is beyond our power to repay.
In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint
resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), 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 the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a
time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 30, 2005, 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 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 twentieth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Memorial Day Events
Just a Few of the Events Around the Country
PBS's National Memorial Day Concert Remembers the
Sacrifices of America's Veterans
The 2005 National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live on PBS from
the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 29, 2005 from 8:00 to 9:30
pm ET. Visit the PBS website to check your
local listing.
Virginia:
Arlington, May 30 - National Memorial Day
Ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington - VFW Events
Visit the website to view the schedule
Portsmouth, May 30 - A tradition in Portsmouth since 1884, the city's
Memorial Day Parade is the nation's oldest.
Virginia Beach, Memorial Day Weekend 27 - 29th - The USO of Hampton Roads in
partnership with the Hampton Roads Chamber and the City of Virginia Beach
will host the first annual Military Salute to the Armed Services at the
Virginia Beach Oceanfront. For more information,
Visit the website.
Washington, DC:
May 29 - The 2005 National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live on
PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 29 from 8:00 to
9:30 pm EST.
May 30 - The Vietnam Veterans Annual
Memorial Day Service - at the Vietnam Memorial.
Visit the website for
more information.
May 30 - The first ever National Memorial Day Parade beginning at 9:00AM.
May 31 - US Navy Memorial
Visit the website to view
the schedule
New York:
NYC, May 30 - New York Philharmonic concert at the Cathedral Church of St.
John the Divine, Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street.
Visit the website for more details
Rensselaer, May 29 - The Annual Memorial Day Parade
Visit the website for
more details
May 29 - Queens
Forest Hills Memorial Parade
Maspeth Memorial Day Parade
College Point Memorial Parade
May 30
Pelham Memorial Day Paradem Pelham, NY
Glendale Memorial Day Parade, Glendale, NY
Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, Brookland, NY
Bayville Memorial Day Parade, Bayville, NY
Staten Island Memorial Day Parade, Staten Island
Manhattan Memorial Day Parade, Manhattan
City Island Memorial Day Parade, City Island, Bronx, NY
California:
Yuba City, May 29 - This year will be truly unique as, in addition to our
Memorial Day Ceremonies on Sunday, we will have The Moving Wall, a half-size
replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC on our campus
during the same time.
Visit the website for
more information
San Diego, May 29 - World War II 60th Anniversary Committee Event at
Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Visit the website for more information
San Diego, May 30 - Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. 105th Memorial Day
program.
La Jolla, May 30 - MT. SOLEDAD Memorial Day Ceremony - A tribute to our
fallen Heroes in all military services and a tribute to military Special
Forces.
Los Angeles, May 30 - Los Angeles National Cemetery - 116th Annual Memorial
Day Program
Montrose, CA, May 30 - Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Wall
Washington:
Seattle, May 28-30 - Wild Waves and Enchanted Village salute our men and
women in uniform with a tribute to our heroes.
Visit the website
Illinois:
Chicago - May 28 - Memorial Day Parade
Massachusetts:
Medway, May 30 - Memorial Day Parade
Visit the website for full information
Texas:
Houston, May 30 - Memorial Day Service at Houston VA National Cemetery
Visit the website for more information
Galveston, May 30 - Memorial Day Service at USS Seawolf Park
Florida:
Pensacola, May 30 - Memorial Day ceremony at Barrancas National Cemetery
aboard Naval Air Station
For a full listing of National Cemetery Memorial Day services, visit the
National Cemeteries website.
Links
Department of
Veterans Affairs - Memorial Day
The American Overseas
Memorial Day Association
The White House
National Moment of Rememberance
The Memorial Day homepage - In
Memory of our Honored Dead
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Memorial Day at
The History Channel
Be sure to check out the television guide
The National World
War II Memorial - Washington, DC
Memorial Day
Traditions
Every Memorial Day, families and communities across the nation take time to
honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.
Americans observe this special holiday in many different ways. Here are a
few of those traditions:
Visiting Gravesites -- Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day
because it was a time to honor the nation's dead by decorating their graves
with flowers. Many Americans make special flower arrangements and deliver
them as a family to gravesites of their loved ones and ancestors.
Family and American History -- Memorial Day is a favorite time for Americans
to read their family history, look at old photographs and learn about their
ancestors, especially those who died in the line of battle. It's also an
occasion for reading Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and other historic and
patriotic speeches by Presidents and leaders of the Armed Services.
Displaying the Flag -- On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be displayed at
half-staff until noon. In the morning, the flag should be raised momentarily
to the top, then lowered to half-staff. Americans can also honor prisoners
of war and those missing in action by flying the POW/MIA flag.
National Moment of Remembrance -- In accordance with a congressional
resolution passed in 2000, Americans pause wherever they are at 3 pm local
time for a moment of silence to remember and honor the fallen.
Experience the National Memorials -- Memorial Day can also be an opportunity
to visit or read about the national memorials in Washington and others
around the country.
Memorial Day Parades -- The Memorial Day parade is a time-honored tradition
in cities and towns across America, where neighbors come together to
remember with pride those who sacrificed so much for our country.
Memorial Day Poppies -- The tradition of red poppies on Memorial Day was
inspired by the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields," by John McCrea. Seeing the
poem and its colorful illustration in a magazine, Georgia teacher and
volunteer war worker Moina Michael made a personal pledge always wear red
silk poppies as an emblem for "keeping the faith with all who died." She
also began a campaign to make the poppy a universal symbol of tribute and
support for veterans. Through her efforts, the idea was adopted in the
United States and spread to England, France, Australia and more than 50
other countries.
Information courtest of:
http://www.pbs.org
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