Veterans Day, 2020
| Citation | 85 FR 73183 |
| Record Number | 2020-25395 |
| Published date | 16 November 2020 |
| Section | Presidential Documents |
| Court | Executive Office Of The President |
Presidential Documents
73183
Federal Register
Vol. 85, No. 221
Monday, November 16, 2020
Title 3—
The President
Proclamation 10118 of November 10, 2020
Veterans Day, 2020
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
America’s veterans have fought to defend our country, its values, and its
interests since the first days of our founding. They have defeated tyrants,
eliminated terrorists, and secured freedom at home and abroad. Their courage
and fortitude in the face of adversity serve as an example for all Americans.
On Veterans Day, we pause to pay tribute to all who have proudly worn
our Nation’s uniform. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast
Guardsmen selflessly placed lives, well-being, and security of others before
their own. We enjoy the privileges of peace, prosperity, and freedom because
of our veterans, and we are forever indebted to them beyond measure.
For their love of country and dedication to duty, America’s veterans have
endured adversity, loneliness, fatigue, loss, and made other incredible sac-
rifices. Many sustained life-altering physical injuries and disabilities; others
bear the burden of emotional scars for the remainder of their lives. Our
Nation’s veterans fully understand liberty’s high and precious cost, for they
have paid it every day since the formation of our Republic.
As Commander in Chief, I have relentlessly fought to support America’s
veterans. For far too long, our Government had not fully met its obligation
to provide for ‘‘him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow
and his orphan.’’ I recognize that this country and its people are duty-
bound to care for our exceptional veterans, their families, and their survivors.
That is why, throughout my time in office, I have worked tirelessly to
improve the health, welfare, and economic prosperity of these treasured
people. In just a few short years, my Administration completely overhauled
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), removing employees who were
not giving our veterans the care and attention they deserve and making
the agency more accountable to the heroes it serves. I also signed into
law the VA MISSION Act, which gives eligible veterans the choice to receive
timely care from providers in their own communities. In 2018, I also signed
the largest funding bill in the history of the VA, and the VA has since
benefited from record budgets every year. In addition, I signed a Presidential
Memorandum to ensure that veterans who are totally and permanently dis-
abled receive the Federal student loan forgiveness to which they are so
justly entitled. We will continue to build on these efforts and work to
create an economic environment that fosters growth and prosperity for vet-
erans, ensuring all of our veterans have the opportunity to live productive
civilian lives.
The mental health and welfare of our veterans is of critical importance,
and addressing this issue has been a top priority. Tragically, an average
of 20 veterans and service members die by suicide each day. We are striving
with all our effort to end this alarming and unacceptable reality. Last year,
I launched the largest whole-of-government program in history to end veteran
suicide, the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National
Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). I also recently signed the Commander
John Scott Hannon Veteran Mental Health Care Improvement Act which
is strengthening VA mental health, supporting suicide prevention efforts,
and developing pilot programs dedicated to ending veteran suicide. I have
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 221 / Monday, November 16, 2020 / Presidential Documents
also bolstered the Veterans Crisis Line, so that its around-the-clock operators
can deliver the best possible intervention services to vulnerable veterans.
Our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best America
can provide them. To recognize and respect the contributions our service
men and women have made in defense of America, and to advance the
cause of peace, the Congress has provided, as outlined in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a),
that November 11th of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday
to recognize America’s veterans. These heroes served faithfully, humbly,
and valiantly in times of war and peace, and they carried these admirable
traits into the civilian workforce when their military service was fulfilled.
Our precious liberty has survived and thrived because of generations of
brave Americans—from every background and walk of life—who have an-
swered the call to support and defend the United States. The gravity of
their contribution is immeasurable and so is our debt to every single one
of our Nation’s veterans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2020, 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 wor-
ship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative
expressions and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independ-
ence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
[FR Doc. 2020–25395
Filed 11–13–20; 11:15 am]
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