Presidential Document2022-24735
Veterans Day, 2022
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 10, 2022
Signed
November 7, 2022
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67763-67764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24735]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 217 / Thursday, November 10, 2022 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 67763]]
Proclamation 10492 of November 7, 2022
Veterans Day, 2022
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Today, we honor generations of patriots who have earned
the title of ``American veteran''--a badge of courage
that unites the finest group of former service members
the world has ever known. With their selfless
sacrifice, our Armed Forces have forged and defended
the very idea of America--a promise of freedom and
equality, democracy and justice, possibility and hope.
We owe them an incredible debt that can never be fully
repaid.
Veterans Day is personal to the Biden family. We have
felt the pride that comes with seeing your child wear
the uniform of the United States and the pain of long
deployments far from home. We know what it is like to
pray every day for the safe return of someone you love.
And we have stood in awe of our veterans who carry the
lasting wounds of war. We pledge to continue the work
to return our prisoners of war and those still missing
in action and commit to remember the sacrifice of the
families of those who have served. As both a father and
Commander in Chief, I firmly believe that our one truly
sacred obligation as a Nation is to properly prepare
and equip the brave women and men we send into harm's
way and to care for them and their loved ones when they
return home.
That is why I was so proud to sign the Sergeant First
Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address
Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act--the most
significant expansion of benefits and services for our
veterans in more than 30 years. As the name suggests,
the PACT Act fulfills a promise to our veteran
community. By funding new facilities, enabling better
research, and expanding care and compensation for
veterans exposed to toxic substances during their
military service--as well as helping their survivors
access life insurance, home loan assistance, tuition
benefits, and monthly stipends--we are giving back to
those who have given so much for all of us. This law
bolsters other bills I have signed this year to improve
health care for veterans--from providing mammograms and
screenings for service members exposed to toxins to
compensating veterans who developed cancer and other
medical conditions from our World War II nuclear
program. And to ensure we continue to meet our sacred
obligation to our veteran families, caregivers, and
survivors, the First Lady's Joining Forces initiative
is helping military spouses find jobs, supporting
children of service members in classrooms, and
extending physical, mental, and emotional services to
families.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other
Federal agencies are also working around the clock to
end veteran suicide and veteran homelessness. As part
of a comprehensive public health strategy that we
released last year, the VA is funding community-led
suicide prevention programs that meet veterans where
they are, increasing public awareness about the
importance of firearm storage in preventing suicides,
and requesting billions more from the Congress to
improve mental health care services for patients across
the country. At the same time, with funding from my
American Rescue Plan, the VA is on track to permanently
house 38,000 homeless veterans this year alone.
[[Page 67764]]
Fulfilling our Nation's promise to our veterans and
military families also means ensuring that everyone who
serves--no matter their gender identity, sexual
orientation, race, or religious background--feels safe
and valued in the ranks. Since coming into office, I
have made historic reforms to the military justice
system that enhance safety and protections for service
members and veterans who have experienced sexual
assault or harassment. Secretary McDonough issued a
zero-tolerance policy and announced that harassment and
sexual assault, including sexual harassment and gender-
based harassment, will not be tolerated within the
Department of Veterans Affairs. This is also a priority
for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who has made
preventing sexual assault and restoring the trust in
the military justice processes a constant focus.
Additionally, we reversed the discriminatory ban on
transgender service and directed a review of all
policies and practices to ensure greater inclusivity of
LGBTQ+ veterans.
In every generation, America's veterans have been
willing to give all for that which we hold sacred--
freedom, justice, and democracy. They have served
selflessly, sacrificed greatly, and shouldered the
burden of freedom quietly, asking no glory for
themselves. Today, let us honor them by living up to
their example--putting service before self, caring for
our neighbors, and working passionately to build a more
perfect Union worthy of all those who protect our lives
and liberty.
In respect and recognition of the contributions our
veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors
have made to the cause 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
November 11, 2022, as Veterans Day. I encourage all
Americans to recognize the valor, courage, and
sacrifice of these patriots through appropriate
ceremonies and private prayers, and by observing two
minutes of silence for our Nation's veterans. I also
call upon Federal, State, and local officials to
display the flag of the United States of America and to
participate in patriotic activities in their
communities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
seventh.
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2022-24735
Filed 11-9-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 10, 2022.
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