83 FR 63773 - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2018

Executive Office of the President

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 237 (December 11, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63773-63774]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26967]



[[Page 63771]]

Vol. 83

Tuesday,

No. 237

December 11, 2018

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9831--National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2018


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 63773]]

                Proclamation 9831 of December 6, 2018

                
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today, we honor those who perished 77 years ago at 
                Pearl Harbor, and we salute every veteran who served in 
                World War II over the 4 years that followed that 
                horrific attack.

                On December 7, 1941, America was attacked without 
                warning at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the air and naval 
                forces of Imperial Japan. Just before 8:00 a.m., 
                Japanese aircraft ripped through the sky, dropping 
                bombs on ships of the United States Pacific Fleet and 
                on nearby airfields and bases. The attack took the 
                lives of more than 2,400 American service members and 
                wounded another 1,100 American citizens. The brutal 
                surprise attack halted only after nearly two hours of 
                chaos, death, and destruction.

                Despite the shock and confusion of the moment, American 
                service members and first responders on the island of 
                Oahu mounted an incredibly brave defense against 
                insurmountable odds. American pilots took to the air to 
                engage enemy aircraft, sailors took their battle 
                stations, and medical personnel cared for the wounded. 
                Many witnesses to the events of that day perished in 
                the attacks, leaving countless acts of valor 
                unrecorded. Nevertheless, 15 Medals of Honor were 
                awarded--10 of them posthumously--to United States Navy 
                personnel for acts of valor above and beyond the call 
                of duty.

                Although the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl 
                Harbor was badly impaired, America did not falter. One 
                day after the attacks, President Franklin Delano 
                Roosevelt declared to the Congress: ``No matter how 
                long it may take us to overcome this premeditated 
                invasion, the American people in their righteous might 
                will win through to absolute victory.'' And, in the 
                weeks, months, and years that followed the brutal 
                attack at Pearl Harbor, Americans united with a 
                steadfast resolve to defend the freedoms upon which our 
                great Nation was founded. Millions of brave men and 
                women answered their country's call to service with 
                unquestionable courage. These incredible patriots 
                fought, bled, sacrificed, and ultimately triumphed for 
                the cause of freedom.

                We are blessed as a Nation to have as examples the 
                incredible heroes of World War II, who fought so 
                valiantly to preserve all that we hold dear. Earlier 
                this year, I had the tremendous honor of meeting Mr. 
                Ray Chavez, who was the oldest living Pearl Harbor 
                veteran. Ray passed away only a few weeks ago at the 
                incredible age of 106. But his legacy is forever etched 
                into our country's rich history, along with the 
                legacies of all our brave veterans. They tell of the 
                mettle of the American spirit under fire and of the 
                will of our people to stand up to any threat. The 
                selfless bravery and dedication of these extraordinary 
                Americans will never be forgotten.

                Today, we remember all those killed on the island of 
                Oahu on that fateful Sunday morning in 1941, and we 
                honor the American patriots of the Greatest Generation 
                who laid down their lives in the battles of World War 
                II. America is forever blessed to have strong men and 
                women with exceptional courage who are willing and able 
                to step forward to defend our homeland and our liberty.

                The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has 
                designated December 7 of each year as ``National Pearl 
                Harbor Remembrance Day.''

[[Page 63774]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                7, 2018, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I 
                encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of 
                remembrance and to honor our military, past and 
                present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I 
                urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, 
                groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United 
                States at half-staff in honor of those American 
                patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl 
                Harbor.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of December, 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. 2018-26967
Filed 12-10-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P