September 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25, 2016) — The White House Office of the Press Secretary on Monday issues President Barack Obama’s Proclamation of the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day 2016.

 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In 1950, when Communist armies from the North stormed

across the 38th parallel, brave American men and women — though

weary of combat in the wake of World War II — stepped forward

to defend their brothers and sisters on the Korean Peninsula.

Over the course of 3 years, through unforgiving weather and

severe danger, nearly 1.8 million Americans joined in the fight

and faced down Communism — pushing the invading armies back and

protecting a people on the other side of the world. As we mark

the 63rd anniversary of the Military Armistice Agreement that

brought an end to this war, we pause to honor the strength and

resilience of our Korean War veterans, whose spirits and stories

serve as an inspiration to continue advancing freedom’s cause.

Rising from occupation and ruin, the Republic of Korea

today shines as a thriving, modern country, whose people can

take comfort in knowing that the commitment of the United States

to their stability and security will never waver. Fifty million

South Koreans now live in freedom, reaching for their dreams and

pursuing opportunities in a vibrant democracy and dynamic

economy — always realizing they have a partner who will stand

shoulder-to-shoulder with them in defense of peace and

prosperity. Our lasting friendship and unbreakable alliance are

sustained by the beliefs we hold in common and the values we

As we pay tribute to the Americans who gallantly helped

forge this bond, we know our solemn responsibilities to our

fallen and their loved ones persist long after the battle ends.

More than 7,800 Americans are still missing from the Korean War,

and we will not stop working to live up to our obligations to

their families. We owe all our service members an enormous debt

of gratitude. To honor the full weight of the sacrifices made

by those who serve, we must uphold our Nation’s promise to our

veterans when they return home, and fulfill our commitment to

all who wear the uniform in our name.

On National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we pay

tribute to the American patriots who fought for freedom and

democracy throughout the Korean War, leaving behind everyone

they loved to secure the blessings of liberty for a country they

never knew and a people they had never met. For the heavy price

they paid, we will forever honor the legacy of their service and

uphold the ideals they secured through this hard-won victory.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 July 27, 2016, as National Korean War Veterans

Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day

with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor our

distinguished Korean War veterans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord

two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the

United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

BARACK OBAMA