Proclamations Proc. 7578 of their Tallban oppressors. Those in other lands seeking to unshackle themselves from dictatorship will also have America's support. Twenty years ago, President Ronald Reagan said before the British Par- liament at Westminster that "our mission today (is) to preserve freedom as well as peace. It may not be easy to see; but I believe we live now at a turning point." These words were a prelude to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today, as the events of September ll made clear, we are at an- other turning point, where the world faces the prospect of dictators sup- plying the world's most dangerous weapons to their terrorist allies. These terrorists aspire to impose their brutal will on freedom loving people every- where. One of our greatest strengths in this struggle against a world of fear, chaos, and captivity is our commitment to standing alongside people everywhere determined to build a world of freedom, dignity, and tolerance. This week America affirms its commitment to helping those in captive nations achieve democracy. The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July \1777, \177959, (73 Star. 2\1772), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation desig- nating the third week in July of each year as "Captive Nations Week." NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 21 through 27, 2002, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to ob- serve this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm their devotion to the aspirations of all peoples for liberty, iustice, and self- determination. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7578 of July 26, 2002 National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2002 By the President of the United States of Arnerica A Proclamation Fifty-two years ago, armed forces from North Korea shattered the peace as they crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. A 22-country force assembled to face this Cold War challenge, and the majority of them were Americans. The brave men and women of this coalition fought coura- geously to defend a population facing tyranny and aggression, and they succeeded in defeating the invading forces. During the Korean War, approximately 1.8 million members of the United States Armed Forces fought in places such as Pork Chop Hill, Pusan Perim- eter, and the Chosin Reservoir. During the intense fighting, approximately 34,000 American lives were lost in combat; 92,000 were wounded; and 111
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