National Day of Prayer

From The Ryskind Sketchbook

Here's this year's Memorial Day proclamation. After some nice introductory remarks, the President reminds us what the day is for:

In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.

So here's what you're supposed to do:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and

• I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer.
  
• I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day.
  
• I encourage the media to participate in these observances.
  
• I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States, and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control.
  
• I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

Parades, BBQs, mattress sales, pool openings, trips to the beach and Rolling Thunder (welcomed at the White House), worthy and enjoyable as they are: all ancillary to prayer for peace and remembrance of the fallen.