Presidential Document2023-19924
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2023
Primary source
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Published
September 13, 2023
Signed
September 8, 2023
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 176 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62693-62694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19924]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 13, 2023 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 62693]]
Proclamation 10622 of September 8, 2023
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and
Remembrance, 2023
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Today we remember all the heroes who were forged in the
hours, days, and years that followed that terrible
morning of September 11, 2001--ordinary Americans who,
amidst the terror, smoke, and flames, demonstrated
extraordinary courage and selflessness. Together, their
bravery helped prove to our Nation and the world that
what those terrorists most hoped to wound could never
be broken: the character of our Nation.
In the crucible that was September 11th, we saw just
how deep that character goes. We saw it in the
civilians, service members, and first responders who
leapt into action that day, running into the searing
flames and crumbling buildings--risking and losing
their own lives to save others. We saw it in the
incredible courage and resolve of the passengers on
board Flight 93, who refused to let their plane be used
as a weapon against more innocent Americans. We saw it
in the police officers and firefighters who returned to
the twisted steel and broken concrete slabs of Ground
Zero and the Pentagon for months--breathing in toxins
and ash that would damage their own health but
nonetheless refusing to stop searching through the
destruction. And we saw it in the millions of Americans
across our country who responded to the September 11th
attacks by signing up to defend our Constitution and
join the greatest fighting force in the history of the
world.
In the years since September 11th, hundreds of
thousands of American troops have served--and
sacrificed--around the world to deny terrorists safe
haven and protect the American people. The First Lady
and I hold in our hearts all those whose loved ones
gave their last full measure of devotion in this fight.
We owe them--and all our veterans and Gold Star
Families as well as their survivors, caregivers, and
loved ones--a debt of gratitude. While we can never
fully repay that debt, we will never fail to meet our
sacred obligation: to prepare and equip all those we
send into harm's way and care for them and their
families when they return.
In honor of all the lives we lost 22 years ago--and in
honor of all the heroes who have given their whole
souls to the cause of this Nation every moment since--
may today not only be observed with solemn remembrance
but also with renewal and resolve. And I invite all
Americans to observe this day with service; you can
find opportunities to volunteer in your community by
visiting <a href="http://americorps.gov/911-day">americorps.gov/911-day</a>. Together, may we
continue to demonstrate that the rights and freedoms
that those terrorists sought to destroy on September
11, 2001, remain unwavering--strengthened by
generations of Americans who have dared all and risked
all to defend, protect, and preserve our democracy.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001
(Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated
September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by
Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the
Congress has requested the observance of September 11
as an annually recognized ``National Day of Service and
Remembrance.''
[[Page 62694]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
September 11, 2023, as Patriot Day and National Day of
Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments,
agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to
display the flag of the United States at half-staff on
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance
in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on
September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the
United States and its Territories and interested
organizations and individuals to join in this
observance. I call upon the people of the United States
to participate in community service in honor of those
our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities, including remembrance
services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning
at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the
innocent victims who perished as a result of the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
eighth.
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2023-19924
Filed 9-12-23; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 13, 2023.
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