[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59707-59708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24285]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 214 / Tuesday, November 5, 2019 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 59707]]
Proclamation 9962 of October 31, 2019
National Veterans and Military Families Month,
2019
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The United States is a beacon of hope, freedom, and
opportunity to people around the world. The Soldiers,
Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who fight
to defend our liberty embody courage, patriotism, and
loyalty. These patriots safeguard the values that keep
our great Nation strong. During National Veterans and
Military Families Month, we honor and express our deep
appreciation for these brave men and women and their
families.
Throughout our Nation's history, our military men and
women have boldly answered the call of duty to defend
our Nation's independence and precious liberties,
risking life and limb for their fellow Americans. At
the inception of our Republic, General George
Washington and his men struggled to keep the spark of
faith and hope alive through the scourge of disease and
the brutal winter months at Valley Forge. One hundred
and forty years later during World War I, American
service members shed blood in the trenches of Western
Europe, leaving a legacy of heroism and courage under
fire at places like Belleau Wood and the River Somme.
Earlier this year, we commemorated the 75th anniversary
of D-Day, when thousands of American heroes charged
through a hail of machine gun fire and left their
gallant mark on the pages of history. The courage of
our men and women who served and fought during that war
freed the world from the shroud of tyranny and ended
the oppression of millions across the globe. In the
decades since World War II, Americans have remained at
the vanguard in defending freedom around the world, and
our service members, veterans, and their families
continue to spearhead this noble undertaking.
America's military men and women and their families are
vital to the security and prosperity of our Nation. We
have a responsibility to protect and serve those who
have made countless sacrifices for love of country. As
President Lincoln once said: ``Honor to the soldier and
sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's
cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his
brother in the field and serves, as best he can, the
same cause.'' We also recognize the integral role our
more than 2.6 million military family members play in
supporting our Armed Forces and contributing to their
mission. While our military men and women are serving
at home or overseas, it is our duty to provide their
families with the resources they need to thrive in our
communities. Accordingly, under my Administration, the
Department of Defense has created programs for military
families that support access to quality childcare and
spousal employment and promote occupational licensure
reciprocity between States.
We also recognize that our obligation to our military
men and women does not end after their time in uniform.
We are a Nation that leaves no American behind, and
that includes our veterans and their family members.
For this reason, I was pleased to sign into law the VA
MISSION Act of 2018, which helps provide all veterans
with access to trusted, high-quality healthcare. I have
also made it a top priority of my Administration to
address the tragedy of veteran suicide, establishing
the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a
National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). The PREVENTS
initiative will encourage a better understanding
[[Page 59708]]
of veteran suicide and work across all levels of
government and the private sector to implement
strategies that will strengthen support networks for
veterans and their families.
My Administration remains committed to providing our
veterans and their families with the financial
resources they have rightfully earned. Last year, we
secured $201.1 billion in funding for the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA)--the most in the history of the
VA--including $8.6 billion to support mental health
services for veterans. Additionally, I recently
directed the Department of Education to discharge some
types of Federal student loans owed by totally and
permanently disabled veterans. This unprecedented
action lessens the financial burden for our seriously
wounded warriors who have sacrificed so much for our
country, and it underscores the appreciation and
undying loyalty of the American people.
Each warrior who fights for our Nation, along with
their families, has earned our eternal gratitude, and I
ask that all Americans thank and support them.
Together, we remain committed to fostering a national
community of support for these brave heroes and their
families.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 November 2019 as
National Veterans and Military Families Month. I
encourage all communities, all sectors of society, and
all Americans to acknowledge and honor the service,
sacrifices, and contributions of veterans and military
families for what they have done and for what they do
every day to support our great Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord
two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
fourth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2019-24285
Filed 11-4-19; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P