The President issued a proclamation for Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, honoring the American heroes who died defending the nation's liberty and acknowledging the sacrifice of those killed in service, including 13 members of the Joint Force lost in Operation Epic Fury.
The proclamation calls upon the American people to observe Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace, designates 11:00 a.m. local time for united prayer, and requests citizens observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time. Furthermore, the President directs that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on all government buildings and requests citizens do the same from their homes.
Arguments For
Honors the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces who died in service to the United States, upholding a long-standing national tradition of remembrance.
Provides a designated national day and time for united prayer for peace, encouraging civic reflection on the high cost of liberty.
Fulfills statutory requirements by following Congressional requests (36 U.S.C. 116 and Public Law 106–579) to proclaim Memorial Day as a day of prayer and observance of the National Moment of Remembrance.
Encourages unification across the country through shared acts of respect, such as flying the flag at half-staff.
Arguments Against
The designation of specific times for prayer and flag-lowering might be seen as an imposition of official solemnity on a personal day of remembrance, potentially infringing on individual freedoms regarding observance.
Mentioning specific, contemporary military operations (Operation Epic Fury) anchors the historical observance to current events, which some might argue distracts from the timeless nature of honoring all fallen service members.
A proclamation relies on voluntary adherence for its effectiveness regarding prayer and the Moment of Remembrance; mandated actions are limited primarily to official flag displays.
Presidential Actions
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The greatest fighting force the world has ever known is built upon the extraordinary service of selfless men and women who safeguard our liberty and preserve our way of life. Since the birth of our Nation nearly 250 years ago, countless souls have lost their lives in this noble and righteous pursuit. On Memorial Day, we honor these American heroes.
America endures in strength, power, and prosperity because of the awe-inspiring selflessness and valor of those in uniform willing to lay down their lives in its defense. From the frozen fields of Valley Forge and the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam and the mountains of Afghanistan, the sacrifice across our Armed Forces is the foundation upon which our Republic stands. Today, we especially remember the 13 members of the Joint Force who have fallen in support of Operation Epic Fury to defend our national security and preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations. These warfighters lost their lives for freedom’s cause and we will never forget the cost.
All Americans inherit the glorious gift of liberty that has been purchased with the spilled blood of brave warriors and the tears and heartache of those they left behind. It is fitting and necessary for our Nation to pause for an annual reminder of the enduring and perilously high cost of freedom, but the immeasurable gravity of what has been sacrificed for the greater good deserves our eternal reverence and unwavering gratitudeevery day.
On this solemn day, the First Lady and I ask you to join us in prayer for lasting peace in this volatile world, for the protection of those in harm’s way, and for the grace of Almighty God to comfort all who grieve.
In honor of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President 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 might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106–579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, 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 when people might unite in prayer. I ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. I also request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that on Memorial Day the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request citizens to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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The initial section consists of website navigation elements, primarily listing different categories of Presidential Actions and general White House news, surrounding a header confirming the document type as "Presidential Actions."
These elements include a search bar, mobile navigation options, and a detailed list menu showing the currently viewed page, "All Presidential Actions," which is selected under the "Presidential Actions" group.
The navigation structure establishes context for the document as an official presidential communication.
The concluding part of this segment confirms the source as originating from the White House website and identifies the published piece as "Memorial Day, 2026."
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
This text identifies the nature and source of the document.
It states that the following text is issued "BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
It is formally titled "A PROCLAMATION," indicating the President is using this specific executive authority to make a public declaration or request.
This formal opening sets the binding and ceremonial tone for the rest of the announcement.
The greatest fighting force the world has ever known is built upon the extraordinary service of selfless men and women who safeguard our liberty and preserve our way of life. Since the birth of our Nation nearly 250 years ago, countless souls have lost their lives in this noble and righteous pursuit. On Memorial Day, we honor these American heroes.
The proclamation begins by praising the United States Armed Forces as the world's greatest military, attributing the nation's existence to the selfless service of its members.
It establishes the historical context, noting that since the nation's founding, many individuals have died in service to protect American freedom.
This introductory paragraph explicitly states the purpose of Memorial Day: to honor these American heroes.
America endures in strength, power, and prosperity because of the awe-inspiring selflessness and valor of those in uniform willing to lay down their lives in its defense. From the frozen fields of Valley Forge and the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam and the mountains of Afghanistan, the sacrifice across our Armed Forces is the foundation upon which our Republic stands. Today, we especially remember the 13 members of the Joint Force who have fallen in support of Operation Epic Fury to defend our national security and preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations. These warfighters lost their lives for freedom’s cause and we will never forget the cost.
This paragraph reinforces that the nation's enduring strength rests on the valor and willingness of service members to sacrifice their lives.
It cites historical examples of service, spanning from Valley Forge to Afghanistan, framing these sacrifices as the foundation of the Republic.
Crucially, it specifically remembers 13 members of the Joint Force who recently died supporting Operation Epic Fury in defense of national security, promising they will not be forgotten.
All Americans inherit the glorious gift of liberty that has been purchased with the spilled blood of brave warriors and the tears and heartache of those they left behind. It is fitting and necessary for our Nation to pause for an annual reminder of the enduring and perilously high cost of freedom, but the immeasurable gravity of what has been sacrificed for the greater good deserves our eternal reverence and unwavering gratitudeevery day.
The text asserts that all citizens receive the gift of liberty only because brave service members paid for it through their lives and the suffering of their families.
It deems it appropriate and necessary for the country to pause annually to reflect on the high price of freedom.
However, the sacrifice demands not just an annual pause but perpetual reverence and gratitude every day.
On this solemn day, the First Lady and I ask you to join us in prayer for lasting peace in this volatile world, for the protection of those in harm’s way, and for the grace of Almighty God to comfort all who grieve.
The First Lady and the President invite the public to join them in prayer on Memorial Day.
These prayers are requested for three specific purposes: achieving lasting world peace, ensuring protection for service members currently in danger, and asking for divine comfort for those grieving.
This shifts the focus from historical remembrance to contemporary spiritual reflection and support.
In honor of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President 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 might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106–579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.
This paragraph cites the legal basis for the ceremonial requests within the proclamation.
Congress, via a 1950 resolution (referenced as 36 U.S.C. 116), previously directed the President to proclaim Memorial Day as a day for national prayer for permanent peace.
Additionally, a later law, Public Law 106–579, established the National Moment of Remembrance, setting it for 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.
These citations show the President is enacting established legislative directives.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, 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 when people might unite in prayer. I ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. I also request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that on Memorial Day the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request citizens to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.
This operative section formally enacts the proclamation by President Donald J. Trump for Memorial Day on May 25, 2026.
Specifically, the President designates 11:00 a.m. local time for united prayer, in fulfillment of the 1950 Congressional request for a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace.
The President also asks all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Finally, the proclamation requests that all government officials fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon on all official property; citizens are also asked to display their flags at half-staff until noon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
This is the formal closing section, marking the execution of the proclamation.
It records the signing date: the twenty-second day of May, 2026.
It also references the national anniversary, noting this is the 250th year of U.S. Independence.
The document concludes with the signature of the President, Donald J. Trump, in text format.
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