Presidential Proclamation — National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2013
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2013
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
More than seven decades ago, on a calm Sunday morning, our Nation was attacked without warning or provocation. The bombs that fell on the island of Oahu took almost 2,400 American lives, damaged our Pacific Fleet, challenged our resilience, and tested our resolve. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the men and women who selflessly sacrificed for our country, and we show our enduring gratitude to all who fought to defend freedom against the forces of tyranny and oppression in the Second World War.
In remembrance of Pearl Harbor and to defend our Nation against future attacks, scores of young Americans enlisted in the United States military. In battle after battle, our troops fought with courage and honor. They took the Pacific theater island by island, and eventually swept through Europe, liberating nations as they progressed. Because of their extraordinary valor, America emerged from this test as we always do — stronger than ever before.
We also celebrate those who served and sacrificed on the home front — from families who grew Victory Gardens or donated to the war effort to women who joined the assembly line alongside workers of every background and realized their own power to build a brighter world. Together, our Greatest Generation overcame the Great Depression, and built the largest middle class and strongest economy in history.
Today, with solemn pride and reverence, let us remember those who fought and died at Pearl Harbor, acknowledge everyone who carried their legacy forward, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals for which they served.
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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2013, 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-staff this December 7 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 fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA
Reasons for Thanksgiving
As the Museum of the American Family all-volunteer board sits back and reflects on the past few months, it is apparent that we have a lot to be thankful for.
Our biggest news is that the Rivera family, of Robert Rivera Construction in Santa Rosa, NM, have generously donated seven 1947 military family housing units for our museum. While they are structurally sound, they will need to be moved to our building site, gutted and rehabbed before we can occupy them. This will take a significant amount of money. We will continue our fundraising in order to rehab these little treasures. We would very much appreciate donations of money, building materials or labor as we move forward. To donate directly to our website, please click here:
The 1940’s houses were TLFs on Kirtland AFB through the late 1990s.
They are 25X30 square feet
These are the seven houses that the Rivera Construction company donated to MAMF
Speaking of moving, where are we moving to?
The City of Albuquerque has suggested a site in a park near Kirtland Air Force Base, the New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial and the VA Hospital. An architect has provided a preliminary drawing and is in the process of refining it. The various City departments are meeting to see if our museum will be a good fit in this location. We are confident that all parties will come to an agreement very soon, and we can begin to apply for permits and begin the building’s physical move to their permanent “home”.
Veteran’s Day Activities Around Albuquerque 2013
VETERANS DAY – 2013
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
A Proclamation for Veteran’s Day
A List of Events and Specials for Veteran’s Day (New Mexico)
Please Participate in our Postcard Project
WRITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
MAMF Writer in Residence Caroline LeBlanc recently spoke to a group of women Veterans at the Kirtland Air Force Base Women Veterans Appreciation luncheon. Here’s what she had to say:
I am very happy to be here with all of you women veterans and to have the honor of speaking to you today about writing opportunities for women veterans in Albuquerque.
Every woman in this room has a story—actually many stories. Some you tell freely. Others, you hold close. Some you may even put on paper. In a journal, perhaps. In letters or family histories. More self-revealing souls, in another kind of bravery, write for strangers to read. You may write fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry, plays, memoirs or blogs—all of the above or something I have not named. » Read more
