National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2020, 79377-79378 [2020-27243]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 9, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 79377-79378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27243]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 237 / Wednesday, December 9, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 79377]]


                Proclamation 10125 of December 4, 2020

                
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On the morning of December 7, 1941, Imperial Japanese 
                forces ambushed the Naval Station Pearl Harbor on the 
                Hawaiian island of Oahu. Tragically, 2,403 Americans 
                perished during the attack, including 68 civilians. On 
                this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we solemnly 
                honor and uphold the memory of the patriots who lost 
                their lives that day--``a date which will live in 
                infamy''--and we reflect on the courage of all those 
                who served our Nation with honor in the Second World 
                War.

                Seventy nine years ago, Imperial Japan launched an 
                unprovoked and devastating attack on our Nation. As 
                torpedo bombers unleashed their deadly cargo on our 
                ships and attack aircraft rained bombs from above, 
                brave members of the United States Navy, Marines, Army, 
                and Army Air Forces mounted a heroic defense, manning 
                their battle stations and returning fire through the 
                smoke and chaos. The profound bravery in the American 
                resistance surprised Japanese aircrews and inspired 
                selfless sacrifice among our service members. In one 
                instance, Machinist's Mate First Class Robert R. Scott, 
                among 15 Sailors awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of 
                valor on that day, refused to leave his flooding battle 
                station within the depths of the USS CALIFORNIA, 
                declaring to the world: ``This is my station and I will 
                stay and give them air as long as the guns are going.''

                Forever enshrined in our history, the attack on Pearl 
                Harbor shocked all Americans and galvanized our Nation 
                to fight and defeat the Axis powers of Japan, Germany, 
                and Italy. As Americans, we promise never to forget our 
                fallen compatriots who fought so valiantly during World 
                War II. As a testament to their memory, more than a 
                million people visit the site of the USS ARIZONA 
                Memorial each year to pay their respects to the Sailors 
                entombed within its wreckage and to all who perished 
                that day. Despite facing tremendous adversity, the 
                Pacific Fleet, whose homeport remains at Pearl Harbor 
                to this day, is stronger than ever before, upholding 
                the legacy of all those who gave their lives nearly 80 
                years ago.

                On this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we 
                recall the phrase ``Remember Pearl Harbor,'' which 
                stirred the fighting spirit within the hearts of the 
                more than 16 million Americans who courageously served 
                in World War II. Over 400,000 gave their lives in the 
                global conflict that began, for our Nation, on that 
                fateful Sunday morning. Today, we memorialize all those 
                lost on December 7, 1941, declare once again that our 
                Nation will never forget these valiant heroes, and 
                resolve as firmly as ever that their memory and spirit 
                will survive for as long as our Nation endures.

                The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has 
                designated December 7 of each year as ``National Pearl 
                Harbor Remembrance Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                7, 2020, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I 
                encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of 
                remembrance and to honor our military, past and 
                present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I 
                urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, 
                groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United 
                States at half-

[[Page 79378]]

                staff in honor of those American patriots who died as a 
                result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-27243
Filed 12-8-20; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P