Proclamation 5556 --
National Women Veterans Recognition Week, 1986
By
the President of the
A
Proclamation
As
Veterans Day approaches, it is appropriate to honor a small but growing segment
of our veteran population -- the 1.2 million women veterans. These women who
served in uniform now comprise approximately 4.2 percent of the total veteran
population, and they have demonstrated their dedication and their patriotism in
situations that often entailed great hardship and danger. Their contribution to
our national security continues to grow as the number and proportion of women
in all branches of service continue to increase.
Through
their sacrifices in behalf of all Americans, women in the Armed Forces have a
record of achievement of which they can be justly proud. And we should all be
proud of them. Their courage, dedication to duty, and unswerving fidelity to
our Nation's ideals deserve our sincere gratitude.
During
the past few years, great progress has been made in the effort to honor women
veterans and to recognize their special needs and concerns. It is fitting that
we, as a Nation, express our great appreciation to our women veterans for their
vital contribution to our national security.
In
recognition of the many contributions of women veterans, the Congress, by
Senate Joint Resolution 311, has designated the week beginning November 9,
1986, as ``National Women Veterans Recognition Week'' and authorized and
requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.
Now,
Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the
In
Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of October, in
the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the
Ronald
Reagan
[Filed with the Office of the
Federal Register,