Chuck, Please send this to whom you think
should, or would like, to read it... Bob
NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2001
The following was released by the White House:
NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2001
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A
PROCLAMATION
The sounds of war thundered as a furious struggle took place
51 years
ago in a country unknown to many Americans. The
battleground that was Korea
in the years 1950 to 1953 tested the
resolve, courage, and commitment of an
America barely 5 years
beyond the tremendous sacrifices of World War II.
Undaunted,
America again marshaled her forces to defend a population
facing
tyranny and aggression.
Freedom for the Republic of Korea was purchased with deep
sacrifice and
with honor. In 38 months of intense fighting,
33,665 Americans gave their
lives in battle. Our Nation's
highest military award, the Medal of Honor, was
awarded to 131
members of the U.S. Armed Forces, more than 90 of
them
posthumously. Yet the challenge of Korea was not just a
formidable
adversary, but also a harsh and forbidding climate.
The 1.8 million service
men and women who served there suffered
bitter winters that would claim
casualties approaching those
inflicted by guns, shrapnel, and bayonets. When
the Military
Armistice Agreement, effective 48 years ago, silenced the
guns
on the Korean peninsula, it marked the end of the world's
first
determined stand against Communist aggression. It signaled
the
beginning of the Cold War, and foreshadowed the eventual
dismantling
of global Communism.
Today, the liberties defended there half a century ago are
the
inheritance of 47 million citizens of a democratic,
prosperous, and
progressive Republic of Korea. The young
Americans who fought and died there
kept faith with a just
cause, and in so doing, kept faith with the principles
and
ideals on which our Nation was founded. They immeasurably
blessed the
Republic of Korea and brought great honor to our
Nation as a defender of
freedom. Because of these truths, we
recognize the Korean War for what it was
and is -- not a
"forgotten war," but a remembered victory.
The Congress, by passing Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127),
has
designated July 27, 2001, as "National Korean War Veterans
Armistice Day" and
has authorized and requested the President to
issue a proclamation in
observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United
States of
America, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2001, as National
Korean War Veterans
Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to
observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities that
honor and give thanks to our distinguished
Korean War veterans.
I also ask Federal departments and agencies and
interested
groups, organizations, and individuals to fly the flag of
the
United States at half-staff on July 27, 2001, in memory of
the
Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fifth day of
July, in the year of our Lord two thousand
one, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the
two hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH