Originally posted at Whitehouse.Gov

On November 11, Americans commemorate the service, sacrifice, and immeasurable contributions of our Nation’s veterans who have proudly worn our country’s uniform to defend and preserve our precious liberty.  As we celebrate Veterans Day, we pause to recognize the brave men and women who have fearlessly and faithfully worked to defend the United States and our freedom.  Their devotion to duty and patriotism deserves the respect and admiration of our grateful Nation each and every day.  We are forever thankful for the many heroes among us who have bravely fought around the world to protect us all.

As Americans, it is our sacred duty to care for and support those who have shown courage and conviction in selfless service to our country.  Safeguarding the health and welfare of our Nation’s veterans has been a top priority for my Administration.  Last year, I was proud to sign into law the VA MISSION Act, the most significant reform to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in more than 50 years.  This historic legislation allows veterans to seek timely care from trusted providers within their communities.  In 2018, I also signed the largest funding bill for the VA in history, securing $8.6 billion for veterans’ mental health services, $400 million for opioid abuse prevention, and $270 million for rural veterans’ health initiatives.  Further, I recently signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Department of Education to discharge some types of Federal student loans owed by totally and permanently disabled veterans.

We also must not forget or forsake our veterans in times of distress as they transition to civilian life.  That is why I signed an Executive Order in March addressing veteran suicide, a solemn crisis that requires urgent national action.  Through this step, we launched the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS), which is bringing together all levels of government and the private sector to improve the quality of life for our veterans, identify and assist veterans in need, and turn the tide on this tragic crisis.

Time after time, throughout the history of our Republic, veterans have defended our way of life with integrity, dedication, and distinction.  In respectful recognition of the contributions our service members have made to advance peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation’s veterans.  As Commander in Chief of our heroic Armed Forces, I humbly thank our veterans and their families for their willingness to answer the call of duty and for their unwavering love of country.  Today, we pledge always to fight for those who have fought for us, our veterans, who represent the best of America.  They deserve our prayers, our unending support, and our eternal gratitude.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2019, as Veterans Day.  I encourage all Americans to recognize the fortitude and sacrifice of our veterans through public ceremonies and private thoughts and prayers.  I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities.  I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

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14 Comments

  1. Anna Baldo November 25, 2019 at 10:27

    OH COME ON……. a traitor, Mr Bone Spurs giving those of us that served a message….NO THANKS….TAKE YOUR BONE SPURS BACK OUT ON THE TENNIS COURT…….shame on you.

  2. desrespected John McCain November 10, 2019 at 17:01

    Draft Dodger!

  3. Dee Roy November 9, 2019 at 21:59

    Thank-you to all the Veterans who have dedicated themselves to our awesome country.
    Thank-you President Trump for looking after them, for all the support you give to them.

  4. Harold M Munsel November 9, 2019 at 14:23

    Overly political. Bush, Obama, and others were never so political and nor were the soldiers when they were (and are) in harms way.

    Thank you, VETERANS, one and all!
    Harold

  5. William Sickmiller November 9, 2019 at 11:05

    When the people that served in Vietnam, including myself, returned home there was no honor. I understand the anger over the war. I do not understand the vile treatment many of us faced on our return home. It has been a long time coming and is appreciated, but I have an issue with the President giving a salute to our troops. I was #4 in the first lottery in Dec 1969. I did have a student deferment but gave it up when my wife became pregnant.I did apply for a fathers deferment but was told only one deferment and since I vacated the student deferment I was eligible for the draft.I did not have the money or the connections to fight this so by Feb 1970 I was in basic training. If I sound a little bitter, I am. Dick Cheney was afforded several deferments and was key to military operations with President Bush, but he never served. Now we have a President that makes speeches about the honor of the people that serve although he has never served. He managed to obtain a deferment for bone spurs. I think he was just afraid or at least to good to serve. Yes I think he dodged the draft. His praise sounds very hollow to me.

  6. Timothy J. Sabo November 9, 2019 at 09:55

    I take umbrage to the publication of anything Veteran-related spoken by this Bone-Spurs coward, who lied to avoid serving this nation five times! And we know he certainly didn’t write this speech, because it never mention HIM, the focus of everything for this president. How dare you use this space to dishonor the memory of fallen heroes with this message-or any message-from this man who has publicly derided great American military heroes, alive and dead.

    Shame on you!

  7. LAWRENCE ANTHONY OLIVIA November 9, 2019 at 08:24

    My God Bless those who lie in Hallow ground in our great country, in foreign countries and the MRIS NEVER FOUND. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, these are heros and we should never forget them! As living veterans, we enjoy all that is given to us, but they gave the most. God Bless each and everyone of them. Rest In Peace.

  8. Leah Capozzi November 9, 2019 at 08:17

    Thank you Mr. President. Why is it that government employees get the day off but that most veterans have to work? I am a veteran and I have always wondered about this. Does anyone have a good answer? -Keep America Great! -Trump 2020

  9. Shelley Fields November 9, 2019 at 01:30

    Unfortunately for those in the military, you have to do what the POTUS says without question. We are all witnessing the genocide taking place in Turkey of the Kurds who sacrificed over 20,000+ troops in fighting right beside the US Military to defeat ISIS, and we betrayed them by putting protecting oil sources that are owned by Sandia Arabia and will never be sent to the USA. The Kurds are now are fleeing for their lives. It was also proven today that the POTUS did not give the money raised in 2016 for veterans causes, over 2 million dollars plus that he repeatedly said were donated, when in fact he used this money for his own personal use, misleading the county repeatedly saying that the money had been sent to those charities. Thankfully this was discovered and a judge has ordered him to pay the funds immediately, and pay a fine for deceiving the American public. That means deserving veterans and gold star families will have a little less worry this holiday season. I thank God for each and every member of the military, including my 2 nephews currently serving, that make it safe for us to sleep at night. As a proud military wife of 15 years, we lost 12 friends in one accident when H-60’s collided in the Nevada desert, and the other 3 who lost their lives in the Gulf. We love and miss you all, and you are forever in our hearts for the sacrifices you made. May God, or whomever you worship protect you as you defend our country and bring you safely home when your mission is done.

  10. John C. Cole November 9, 2019 at 00:51

    God bless America USA, and the Men and Women of our Military who have served it. Honor, Loyal, and Service to protect our Country’s Liberty and Freedom. May it always will be so..

  11. Judah Pearl November 8, 2019 at 23:31

    I am a veteran and own my own business and would love to find more ways to be able to help my brothers and sisters transition smoothly. I know first hand the hardship of this transition and there are many things that beset veterans. Support is possibly the greatest tool anyone has and for a community to come together and show their gratitude goes a long way!

  12. Mike November 8, 2019 at 22:49

    How can anyone stand to have this draft dodging phony even mention soldiers? He had his chance and he bought his way out declaring that “avoiding STDs” was his personal Viet Nam. What a phony!

  13. John Hyatt November 8, 2019 at 21:04

    I am a US Army veteran who served during the Reagan administration
    I am humbled by the changes that have occurred in my lifetime towards veterans
    My father was a World War II veteran who served in Europe with Patton. Being from the greatest generation he never was one to seek acknowledgment for what he did over there but the scars were evident
    I know for me it took me a long time to re-assimilate back to civilian life and a lifetime of work to achieve my own business
    Unfortunately I have lost my business and my property to the state of Pennsylvania through eminent domain and have not been able to be helped
    As a veteran I am dismayed by this process and the unwillingness for anyone to lend a helping hand
    I Have lost my retirement and my life has been destroyed by eminent domain and the attorneys have taken every dime of my retirement
    It would be hard enough for a civilian to overcome this but I have had to make up for so much lost time only to lose it all in the end
    There should be someone to help

  14. Dennis von Elgg November 8, 2019 at 20:21

    He wouldn’t know a “sacred duty” if it bit the weave off his inflated orange melon.
    What an insult to us as Veterans.
    Doesn’t he have a bone spur to tend to??

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