Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014



The President:

PRAYER FOR PEACE, MEMORIAL DAY, 2014

- - - - - - - 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

A PROCLAMATION 

Constant in the American narrative is the story of men and women who loved our country so deeply they were willing to give their all to keep it safe and free. When a revolution needed to be won and our Union needed to be preserved, brave patriots stepped forward. When our harbor was bombed and our country was attacked on a clear September morning, courageous warriors raised their hands and said, "send me." On the last Monday of each May, our Nation comes together to honor the selfless heroes who have defended the land we love and in so doing gave their last full measure of devotion.

Today, we pause to remember our fallen troops, to mourn their loss, and to pray for their loved ones. Though our hearts ache, we find a measure of solace in knowing their legacy lives on in the families our heroes left behind -- the proud parents who instilled in their sons and daughters the values that led them to serve; the remarkable spouses who gave our Nation the person they cherished most in the world; and the beautiful children who will grow up with the knowledge that their mother or father embodied the true meaning of patriotism. To those we lost, we owe a profound debt that can never be fully repaid. But we can honor the fallen by caring for their loved ones and keeping faith with our veterans and their fellow brothers and sisters in arms. 

The security that lets us live in peace, the prosperity that allows us to pursue our dreams, the freedom that we cherish -- these were earned by the blood and the sacrifices of patriots who went before. This Memorial Day, as we near the end of more than a decade of war, let us never forget their service and always be worthy of the sacrifices made in our name. And today and every day, let us pray for and hold close the families of the fallen. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 26, 2014, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth. 

BARACK OBAMA 
I do believe this "Prayer for Peace" thing is new this year.  While I have nothing against prayer, especially prayer for peace, I have everything against diluting the circumstances by which we honor our war dead.  Choose another day, Mr. Obama, and leave Memorial Day alone.

10 comments:

  1. Setting the current C-in-C off to one side for the moment. . .

    Thank you, and all your comrades, fallen and still-standing, for your service to us, our neighbors, and our forebears. . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam26 May, 2014 13:15

    As the troopers leave for Africa and another adventure, God bless the families of those who fall.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm with you on the inappropriateness of him choosing this day. Surprised, no. Miffed, yes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you all for your kind words.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good post Buck.

    As for the current occupant of the Oval Office...

    Yup, that was my surprised face.

    ReplyDelete

Just be polite... that's all I ask.