Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 221 (November 15, 2018)
Page Range
57669-57670
FR Document
2018-25127
Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57669-57670]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25127]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 57669]]
Proclamation 9825 of November 9, 2018
Veterans Day, 2018
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On November 11, 1918, the United States and its allies
signed an armistice with Germany to end hostilities in
World War I. The Great War exacted a tremendous toll on
our Nation. More than 100,000 American service members
perished in the war, and the lives of countless others
were forever altered. In 1919, to honor and memorialize
these sacrifices, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed
November 11 as Armistice Day, the precursor to Veterans
Day, expressing ``solemn pride in the heroism of those
who died in the country's service.'' This year, as we
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, we
again salute the generations upon generations of
American heroes who have sacrificed so much to secure
the blessings of freedom for their fellow Americans.
We will never be able to repay the debt we owe the
brave men and women who have served in the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. To the 20 million
veterans alive today: this Veterans Day, we recommit
ourselves to providing you with the care you deserve.
In June, I signed into law the VA MISSION Act of 2018,
enacting some of the most substantial reforms to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a generation.
This landmark legislation made Veterans Choice
permanent, ensuring that our Nation's veterans have
timely access to the highest quality of care possible
and the flexibility to receive care either at the VA or
at a private healthcare facility. The VA MISSION Act is
removing barriers to telemedicine and expanding access
to walk-in clinics. And it is giving veterans who were
catastrophically injured in World War II, the Korean
War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War the same access
to caregiver assistance that veterans of more recent
conflicts already enjoy. My Administration is also
processing veteran claims and appeals more quickly than
ever before, and veterans can now use their GI Bill
benefits at any point in their lives. And, for the
first time in history, the Department of Defense and
the VA will share electronic health records, improving
accessibility and easing the healthcare burden on our
veterans.
For many service members, the transition into civilian
life can be fraught with challenges. To enhance their
access to critical resources and support, I signed an
Executive Order that directs the Secretaries of
Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to
develop and implement a Joint Action Plan that provides
seamless access to mental health treatment and suicide
prevention resources for service members in the year
following the conclusion of their military service.
As we mark the centennial of the Armistice, we remember
the countless sacrifices that our country's heroic
veterans have made throughout our history to preserve
our liberty and prosperity. Our veterans embody the
values and ideals of America and the timeless virtue of
serving a greater cause. With respect for, and in
recognition of, the contributions our service members
have made to the advance of peace and freedom around
the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a))
that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a
legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans. As
Commander in Chief of our heroic Armed Forces, I humbly
thank our
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veterans and their families for their selflessness and
love of country as we remember their service and their
sacrifice. Today, and every day, we pay tribute to
those who have worn the uniform, and we pray for the
safety of all currently serving in harm's way.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim November
11, 2018, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to
recognize the fortitude and sacrifice of our veterans
through public ceremonies and private thoughts and
prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local
officials to display the flag of the United States and
to participate in patriotic activities in their
communities. I call on all Americans, including civic
and fraternal organizations, places of worship,
schools, and communities to support this day with
commemorative expressions and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2018-25127
Filed 11-14-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P