THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 2, 2000
Memorandum on the White House Program for the National Moment
of Remembrance
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Subject: White House Program for the National Moment of Remembrance
As Memorial Day approaches, it is time to pause and consider the
true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of
national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died
while defending our Nation and its values. While we should honor these
heroes every day for the profound contribution they have made to
securing our Nation's freedom, we should honor them especially on
Memorial Day.
In this time of unprecedented success and prosperity throughout our
land, I ask that all Americans come together to recognize how fortunate
we are to live in freedom and to observe a universal ``National Moment
of Remembrance'' on each Memorial Day. This memorial observance
represents a simple and unifying way to commemorate our history and
honor the struggle to protect our freedoms.
Accordingly, I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies,
in consultation with the White House Program for the National Moment of
Remembrance (Program), to promote a ``National Moment of Remembrance''
to occur at 3 p.m. (local time) on each Memorial Day.
Recognizing that Memorial Day is a Federal holiday, all executive
departments and agencies, in coordination with the Program and to the
extent possible and permitted by law, shall promote and provide
resources to support a National Moment of Remembrance, including:
- Encouraging individual department and agency personnel, and Americans everywhere, to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.
- Recognizing, in conjunction with Memorial Day, department and agency personnel whose family members have made the ultimate sacrifice for this Nation.
- Providing such information and assistance as may be necessary for the Program to carry out its functions.
I have asked the Director of the White House Millennium Council to issue additional guidance, pursuant to this Memorandum, to the heads of
executive departments and agencies regarding specific activities and
events to commemorate the National Moment of Remembrance.
William J. Clinton
Who do you remember today?
Dong.
3 o'clock.
Lieutenant Colonel Jack Friedrichsen, US Air Force
Dong.
Second bell.
Major Andrew Olmsted, US Army
Captain Thomas Casey, US Army
Dong.
3 strikes for the hour.
Sergeant Ross Clevenger, US Army
Sergeant Jim Holtom, US Army
Private First Class Ray Werner, US Army
Tomorrow I'll write about today, and post some pictures.
Today, I'll remember.
I'll have to make mine generic, as I never lost any friends.
ReplyDeleteTime was spent in rememberance, and not only at 3:00pm. Teaching my children what the day is really about - Not BBQ and Vacation.
Thank you for your service - While I make mine generic - you can fill in some names for me... And tell their stories if you wish.
Our Remeberence Day is November 11.
ReplyDeleteThis comes from the time that the First World War officialy ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. We pause to observe 2 minutes of silence for the fallen.
Having said that, being so involved with the Milblogging community Memorial Day has come to have special meaning to this Canadian.
I remember two people. The first is Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor who sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
The second is my Dad, Flight Sergeant Gordon Francis Davidson who volunteered for duty in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1940.
During his tour of duty he flew as bomber crew on Lockheed Hudson twin engine bombers out of Gander Newfoundland. Their mission was anti-submarine patrol and convoy over watch.
Two weeks before his Squadron was to deploy overseas to join Bomber Command on a routine patrol both engines cut out at the same time. Sabotage was suspected.
The pilot succesfully ditched the plane. My Dad being the Radio Opertator/Air Gunner was the last to leave the plane as it was his job to radio their position and send out an S.O.S.
The plane went up in flames during this and he was badly burned while exiting. This may well have saved his life as two weeks later the rest of the Squadron were sent overseas to fly missions over Germany.
At the end of the war only two other members of my Dad's Squadron survived.
He desperately wanted to stay in the Air Force after the war but they wouldn't let him due to a heart murmur.
My Dad died of a heart attack at the age of 36 when I was 10 years old.
I hope you will keep writing TD. You have a gift.
Thanks again for all you've done for us.
58,000 of my friends who died in vietnam, over 4000 of my friends who died in the War on Terror. Friends like Mel that I have met through my blog.
ReplyDeleteNo cookout, no shopping, too busy remembering those who gave all.