Presidential Proclamation — Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2014

PRAYER FOR PEACE, MEMORIAL DAY, 2014

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Constant in the American narrative is the story of men and women who loved our country so deeply they were willing to give their all to keep it safe and free. When a revolution needed to be won and our Union needed to be preserved, brave patriots stepped forward. When our harbor was bombed and our country was attacked on a clear September morning, courageous warriors raised their hands and said, “send me.” On the last Monday of each May, our Nation comes together to honor the selfless heroes who have defended the land we love and in so doing gave their last full measure of devotion.

Today, we pause to remember our fallen troops, to mourn their loss, and to pray for their loved ones. Though our hearts ache, we find a measure of solace in knowing their legacy lives on in the families our heroes left behind — the proud parents who instilled in their sons and daughters the values that led them to serve; the remarkable spouses who gave our Nation the person they cherished most in the world; and the beautiful children who will grow up with the knowledge that their mother or father embodied the true meaning of patriotism. To those we lost, we owe a profound debt that can never be fully repaid. But we can honor the fallen by caring for their loved ones and keeping faith with our veterans and their fellow brothers and sisters in arms.

The security that lets us live in peace, the prosperity that allows us to pursue our dreams, the freedom that we cherish — these were earned by the blood and the sacrifices of patriots who went before. This Memorial Day, as we near the end of more than a decade of war, let us never forget their service and always be worthy of the sacrifices made in our name. And today and every day, let us pray for and hold close the families of the fallen.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 26, 2014, 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 request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and 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.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

The IAM mourns the death of District 4 Directing Business Representative Joe Flanders.

Flanders died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at his home in Mechanic Falls, ME. He was 58 years old.

Flanders became an IAM member in December 1988 and was elected to serve as a Business Representative for District 4 in January 1999. He then became the Directing Business Representative in 2009.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. He was a Red Sox and Patriots fan. A big part of his childhood was spent with his uncle Richard racing at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Flanders loved spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and seven grandchildren with another on the way.

“Joe was a true trade unionist dedicated to the IAM and bettering the lives of working families,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “He’ll be greatly missed across the labor movement. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Many IAM represented members at Andrews have benefits through the Employee Benefits System also known as EBS. EBS has a new website you should check out; http://www.ebsworksite.com/index.html#

Local 24’s February Meeting scheduled for February the 15th has been cancelled due to the recent snow storm and the threat of more snow. Everyone please be careful and we will see you next month.

Local 24 members working for Hallmark have a new pay scale check it out at: http://www.andrewsiam.org/pdf/Hallmark%20Group%20CBA%202012.pdf

Please note until further notice our monthly meetings will be in the first floor Governor’s Room at the Colony South.

The January the 18th Union meeting will be held downstairs in the “Governor’s” room at the Colony South. Same time as always 0900 for the Executive Board and 0930 for the membership meeting.

Hope to see you there.