In December 1944, in a dense forest in Belgium, a brave
band of American soldiers, who were surrounded, poorly supplied
and surviving in brutally cold conditions, took the brunt of
a furious German assault. Their valor defined not just the
beginning of the end of a World War, but also one of the
greatest generations of Americans. Like patriots before them,
they stood resolute, confident in their training, and determined
to preserve those enduring American ideals of freedom and
justice. On the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a
grateful Nation remembers the fallen who gave their lives in
that critical battle, and we pay tribute to the heroes whose
indomitable strength led to victory in World War II.
When asked about the Battle of the Bulge, British Prime
Minister Sir Winston Churchill remarked, "This is undoubtedly
the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be
regarded as an ever-famous American victory." Confronting not
just the advancing German Army, but the elements, American
service members withstood the assault and eventually repelled
the Nazi forces, but at tremendous cost in lives and wounded
soldiers.
On this anniversary, we reflect on the enduring commitment
of our Armed Forces in defending our liberty, as inspiring today
as it was in 1944. The discipline and courage displayed in the
Battle of the Bulge continues in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever
our men and women in uniform are serving. They represent the
best of our Nation and we are eternally grateful for their
service and sacrifice.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,
do hereby proclaim Wednesday, December 16, 2009, as the
65th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. I encourage
all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
