Presidential Document2021-15520
National Atomic Veterans Day, 2021
Primary source
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Published
July 20, 2021
Signed
July 15, 2021
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 136 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 38207-38208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15520]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 20, 2021 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 38207]]
Proclamation 10232 of July 15, 2021
National Atomic Veterans Day, 2021
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On July 16, 1945, the United States detonated the
world's first nuclear device in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Better known by its code name, ``Trinity,'' the
successful test of the first atomic bomb brought forth
a new age of science that changed the lives of many of
those who served in our Armed Forces, and forever
altered the nature and the risks of war. Just weeks
later, the world witnessed the horrors of nuclear
destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which marked the
end of World War II but opened our eyes to the truth
that a nuclear war must never be fought.
Many brave men and women have risked their lives in
service to our Nation, but few know the story of our
``Atomic Veterans''--American military service members
who participated in nuclear tests between 1945 and
1962, served with United States military forces in or
around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-1946, or were
held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or
Nagasaki. These veterans served at testing sites like
the Bikini Atoll and witnessed the destructive power of
nuclear weapons firsthand. On National Atomic Veterans
Day, we recognize and honor the contributions of
America's Atomic Veterans for their sacrifice and
dedication to our Nation's security, and recommit to
supporting our Atomic Veterans and educating ourselves
on the role these patriots played in our national
story.
Atomic Veterans served our Nation with distinction, but
their service came at a great cost. Many developed
health conditions due to radiation exposure, yet
because they were not able to discuss the nature of
their service, they were unable to seek medical care or
disability compensation from the Department of Veterans
Affairs for their illnesses. Decades later in 1996, the
United States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation
and Secrecy Agreements Act, allowing Atomic Veterans to
tell their stories and file for benefits. By then,
thousands of Atomic Veterans had died without their
families knowing the true extent of their service.
Our Nation has one truly sacred obligation: to properly
prepare and equip our troops when we send them into
harm's way, and to care for them and their families
when they return from service. As Commander in Chief, I
am committed to fulfilling our obligation to the Atomic
Veterans and their families, and ensuring that all of
our Nation's veterans have timely access to needed
services, medical care, and benefits.
On this National Atomic Veterans Day, our country
remembers the service and sacrifices of Atomic
Veterans. Their heroism and patriotism will never be
forgotten and we always honor their bravery and
devotion to duty.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 16, 2021,
as National Atomic Veterans Day. I call upon all
Americans to observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities that honor our Nation's
Atomic Veterans whose brave service and sacrifice
played an important role in the defense of our Nation.
[[Page 38208]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
sixth.
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2021-15520
Filed 7-19-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 20, 2021.
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