Flags to half staff on Peace Officer
Memorial Day
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May 14, 2013 |
Day after day, police officers in every corner
of America suit up, put on the badge, and carry
out their sworn duty to protect and serve. They
step out the door every morning without
considering bravery or heroics.
They stay focused on meeting their
responsibilities. They concentrate on keeping
their neighborhoods safe and doing right by
their fellow officers. And with quiet courage,
they help fulfill the demanding yet vital task
of shielding our people from harm. It is work
that deserves our deepest respect -- because
when darkness and danger would threaten the
peace, our police officers are there to step in,
ready to lay down their lives to protect our
own.
This week, we pay solemn tribute to men and
women who did. Setting aside fear and doubt,
these officers made the ultimate sacrifice to
preserve the rule of law and the communities
they loved. They heard the call to serve and
answered it; braved the line of fire; charged
toward the danger. Our hearts are heavy with
their loss, and on Peace Officers Memorial Day,
our Nation comes together to reflect on the
legacy they left us.
As we mark this occasion, let us remember that
we can do no greater service to those who
perished than by upholding what they fought to
protect. That means doing everything we can to
make our communities safer. It means putting
cops back on the beat and supporting them with
the tools and training they need. It means
getting weapons of war off our streets and
keeping guns out of the hands of criminals --
common-sense measures that would reduce gun
violence and help officers do their job safely
and effectively.
Together, we can accomplish those goals. So as
we take this time to honor law enforcement in
big cities and small towns all across our
country, let us join them in pursuit of a
brighter tomorrow. Our police officers serve and
sacrifice on our behalf every day, and as
citizens, we owe them nothing less than our full
and lasting support.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962,
as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law
103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the
President has been authorized and requested to
designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers
Memorial Day" and the week in which it falls as
"Police Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
May 15, 2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and
May 12 through May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I
call upon all Americans to observe these events
with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I
also call on 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 on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I
further encourage all Americans to display the
flag at half-staff from their homes and
businesses on that day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this
tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA |
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