Women's Philanthropy--Women's Issues

Join Forces for Women Veterans summit

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=295900014

Posted on May 31, 2010

BPW Foundation Receives Funding From McCormick Foundation for Women Veterans Summit

With support from the McCormick Foundation, the Business and Professional Women's Foundation has announced that it will host a national summit focused on addressing the unique needs of returning women veterans.

The Join Forces for Women Veterans summit will raise awareness of the challenges faced by women veterans, create an action plan to address those challenges, and launch a fund to support programs and services for women veterans who face difficulties in transitioning to civilian career, family, and community lives. The summit will build on existing research as well as the best practices of already successful programs and policies.

To be held this fall in Washington, D.C., the one-day summit will involve up to fifty participants, including women veterans and representatives of the government, community, and corporations, and will focus on employment and careers, family and community re-integration, and homelessness. Public policy will be integrated throughout the program.

"During the past ten years, we have learned that their scope of responsibility in the service, along with the skills and talents that make these women great soldiers, has strengthened their value as employees and leaders," said BPW Foundation CEO Deborah Frett. "However, the transition back to civilian life can be difficult and involves challenges that are unique to them as women."

“Two Foundations Join Forces for Women Veterans.” Business and Professional Women's Foundation Press Release 5/27/10.

Primary Subject: Human Services
Location(s): National, Washington, DC

IN REMEMBRANCE

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

 

Great Nonprofits 2010 Women's Empowerment Campaign

SOURCE:  http://greatnonprofits.org
 

Campaign dates: May 1-31

GreatNonprofits and GuideStar have launched the 2010 Women's Empowerment Campaign, in partnership with Kiva, the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, MADRE, Wider Opportunities for Women, Dress for Success, Women's Media Center, Women's News Network, and Women's Philanthropy -- Women's Issues, to identify top-rated nonprofits serving women in the U.S. and around the world.Tell us about YOUR experience -- how are these organizations having an impact?  Which ones are great?  Which ones need some improvement?  Your participation in this campaign helps identify the nonprofits that are making a real difference for women.

BENEFITS:

• Recognition: Every organization that gathers 10 or more positive reviews during the month of May will make the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Women's Empowerment Nonprofits List.
  
• Community Engagement: Great opportunity for nonprofits and their community members to interact and engage directly.
• First-person stories: Clients volunteers, donors and others share with the public, in their own words, how nonprofits serve their community. Nonprofits can use this resource of powerful and authentic stories to engage donors and volunteers.

Campaign deadline: May 31, 2010.

FAQ:  http://greatnonprofits.org/general/women-rules

On Memorial Day, three stories of loss, redemption, and healing

SOURCE:  http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0529/On-Memorial-Day-three-stories-of-loss-redemption-and-healing

Three people who lost loved ones to war honor those who serve and tangibly help others.

• Sean D. Elliot/The Day/AP

Bob Arpin (l.) and Charlie Muscarella place flags by the graves of veterans at St. Mary's Cemetery in New London, Conn. on Thursday in preparation for Memorial Day.

May 29, 2010

The increasing number of homes with gold stars in the window, the sign that a military son or daughter has been lost, is a sad measure of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Photo Gallery
  Famous US monuments and memorials

But many who’ve lost someone also have found something redemptive in the loss – not only honoring those who serve but tangibly helping others as well.

It can be as simple as care packages to those serving in dangerous and uncomfortable circumstances. Or maybe it follows the dream of a fallen soldier. And as time passes, for some at least, it helps ease the loss, becoming part of their own healing.

Here are three examples this Memorial Day. 

• One Marine's memorial: day of racing to honor veterans' service

• A Memorial Day machine: dirt racing for fallen Special Ops soldiers

• Care packages as a calling: a mother's Memorial Day mission

Obama: Memorial Day is time to honor fallen troops

SOURCE:  http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/05/29/obama_asks_americans_to_observe_memorial_day/

   

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

John DeFruscio, 7, of Collegeville, Pa., walks on the edge of a field of flags on Boston Common ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 28, 2010, in Boston.

May 29, 2010

WASHINGTON—More than just barbecues and family time, Memorial Day is the chance to honor members of the military who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country, President Barack Obama says.

Obama, who has sent thousands of troops into war in Afghanistan, used his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday to reflect on what the nation owes those men and women who died in uniform.

Honor them with words and deeds, the commander in chief said. That means ensuring that combat troops have the support they need in the field and that veterans get the help they need when they return home.

"In short, by serving all those who have ever worn the uniform of this country -- and their families -- as well as they have served us," the president said.

Obama said the U.S. owes its position as the most prosperous and powerful nation on earth to a commitment from the earliest years of the country "to serve, to fight and if necessary to die to preserve America and advance the ideals we cherish."

Obama has been criticized by some veterans groups for planning to attend a holiday service Monday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery outside Chicago, instead of going to Arlington National Cemetery as presidents often do on Memorial Day and as he did last year. Vice President Joe Biden will be at Arlington this year.

PHILANTHROPY PROJECT

http://www.aolnews.com/philanthropy/philanthropy-mission

Our Mission

Philanthropy Project is an exciting, ambitious nonprofit initiative funded by the John Templeton Foundation (www.templeton.org). Our mission is to enhance America's culture of generosity by inspiring and enabling every man, woman, and child to become a philanthropist. We are accomplishing this by using the moving image to tell the untold stories of our nation's 72,000 foundations and their innovative good works ... along with the stories of citizen philanthropists who are "giving and glowing" in their communities nationwide.

Philanthropy Project is funding three groundbreaking initiatives:

• A) An inspiring, philanthropy-themed, family-friendly motion picture that is being produced in partnership with Anonymous Content in Hollywood;


• B) A Web TV channel in partnership with AOL that aspires to be the #1 destination on the Internet for all things related to American philanthropy;


• C) A Filmanthropy Scholarship Competition that is being held at six of America's top-ranked film schools.

Want to find out more? Read the welcome note from Philanthropy Project's President and CEO, Michael Guillen, PhD.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Brochure.pdf

MICHAEL A. GUILLEN, PhD
Chairman & President

Three-time Emmy Award winner, best-selling author, and former Harvard University instructor, Dr. Michael Guillen is known and loved by millions as the ABC News Science Editor, a post he filled for fourteen years (1988-2002). In that capacity, he appeared regularly on Good Morning America, 20/20, Nightline and World News Tonight. He is the host of Where Did It Come From?, a one-hour series for The History Channel, and the author of two critically acclaimed books for the general public about mathematics: Bridges to Infinity: The Human Side of Mathematics and Five Equations that Changed the World: The Power and Poetry of Mathematics. He is president of Filmanthropy Media and Spectacular Science Productions. He is represented by Richard Leibner at N.S. Bienstock and managed by Burton Taylor of Taylor Entertainment.

LAUREL LUCAS GUILLEN
Production Manager

During her distinguished career in the news media, Laurel has been a general assignment and science reporter for radio, newspaper, magazines, and television - most recently at WJAR-TV in Providence, RI. She is the production manager of two family-run companies: Spectacular Science Productions and Filmanthropy Media, both of which pride themselves on the quality and diversity of their work, and on their commitment to treat others as the Guillens wish to be treated themselves. Laurel is a graduate of Cornell University.

ELKIN ANTONIOU
Executive Assistant to the Chairman & President

Los Angeles native and second-generation entertainment professional, Elkin Antoniou began her career as a professional ballet dancer and actress. In 2004 she co-produced the Academy Award nominated short film, "Most." It was an experience that motivated her to form the nonprofit organization LA Loves, where she produced action and media campaigns for the Salvation Army and Angels of East Africa. Most recently and as the Co-Owner & Executive Producer of Chapter 7 Films, Elkin served commercial, film, and music video clients including: Jaclyn Smith International, Safe Haven, De Angelis Records, Awaken Films, and Astonish Entertainment. As a humanitarian and storyteller, Elkin's passion to create and connect engaging commercial entertainment with tangible philanthropy, propelled her to co-found Liquid Worldwide in 2008, which she owns with her husband, Oscar-nominated director Bobby Garabedian.

Web TV Channel

MATTHEW D. PAPISH
Chief Business Advisor

Matthew has created and executive-produced more than 1400 hours of network, syndicated, and cable programming, including the hit series Blind Date and The Fifth Wheel for NBC/Universal. He is the founder/CEO of Pipeline Entertainment, where he has developed revolutionary cross-platform partnerships with the likes of MySpace.com, Excite, Yahoo!, AOL, Real Networks, Spark Networks, and Classmates.com. In 2004, Matthew headed up AOL's then newly formed Branded Entertainment unit. In that capacity, he was responsible for a $30-million joint venture called Network Live which created a massive digital partnership network that included XM Radio, AEG Live, Qualcomm, Direct TV, among many others. He's also worked with AOL Music, Netscape, CompuServe and Warner Brothers online.

NIKOLETTE ORLANDOU
Director, Web Development & Production
Producer, "Give & Glow" series

Nikolette has worked in various high-level production, creative and administrative capacities alongside some of the most respected figures in the business. From 2003-2004, she was executive assistant to the celebrated movie producer and entrepreneur Robert K. Weiss and aided him during the preparation and production of "The Race for Space," Ansari X PRIZE's award winning space launches that aired live on the Science Channel and AOL. She originally came on board during the post-production of "Scary Movie 3," which Mr. Weiss produced for Miramax/Dimension Films. In 2005, she was promoted to associate producer for "Scary Movie 4" and was actively involved in the picture from inception to post-production. She subsequently line-produced the independent film "Hurt." Nikolette is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

CANDACE BAILEY
Host, "Give & Glow" Series

With a passion for TV and film since a very young age, Candace Bailey dove right into the industry, starting her career at 12 years old, when her mother took her to New York City for the summer. On that first trip, Candace booked three network commercials and a Gap campaign. It was evident that acting was in Candace's blood but it wasn't until she landed the role of Deena Hauser on "The Sopranos" that she pursued acting full time.
In 2002 when she was asked to host Nickelodeon's "U-Pick Live," which she did for three years. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in New York she moved to Los Angeles and became a series regular on ?Jericho," portraying Skylar Stevens. Other credits include "Robot Chicken," "Ghost Whisperer" and numerous TV pilots.

JEANNE SYQUIA
Host, "Give & Glow" series

A California native, Jeanne currently resides in Los Angeles and is an active member of two theater companies. She also volunteers locally with a community youth theater program. Jeanne is a graduate of the City University of New York, Hunter College.

BRIAN CORSETTI
Host, "Give & Glow" series

Brian Corsetti is an entertainment host and renovation expert. From Hollywood's hottest red carpet events like the Emmys, to hosting "down and dirty" home-renovation shows, Brian offers a diverse and playful insight into the pop culture world at-large. Brian who has the trust of many famous faces, currently hosts "Hollyscoop" on The CW channel. He is also a licensed contractor with his own show,"Garage Mahal" on the DIY Network. Recently he re-modeled Food Network's Guy Fieri's garage and turned it into a mindful rock 'n roll masterpiece. His charismatic boy next-door charm also made him the perfect person to give audiences a behind the scenes look at "The Victoria Secret Fashion Show," which aired on CBS. Brian hails from St. Petersburg, Florida, and is a graduate of Hunter College in New York.

MATTHEW T. LEE, PHD
Give & Glow Lifestyle Coach

Dr. Lee -- or, as we lovingly refer to him, Dr. Matt -- is a renowned sociologist who for a decade studied crime and deviance. During this time, he recalls, "I was increasingly drawn to the brighter side of human behavior." In the years since then, Dr. Lee has pioneered the scientific study of human love in its many forms: romantic, parental and altruistic. In 2006, he was the first person in the history of sociology to teach a college course on the subject. Among his many professional distinctions, Dr. Lee is a professor of sociology at the University of Akron; director of the Flame of Love project, whose research is discovering that benevolence in the service of a higher cause can help provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life; senior fellow at the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love; newsletter editor of the pioneering Altruism and Solidarity section of the American Sociological Association; referee for the National Science Foundation.

RYAN SMITH
GlowMeter Online Execution

Ryan is the president of Qualtrics Survey Software. He has been involved with it since its creation and, since 2001, has grown the company into an industry leader that now works with 96 of the world's top 100 Business Schools and 100 Fortune 500 companies. In the process, Ryan has guided Qualtrics to become the industry leader in Enterprise Feedback Management and Survey Software. Ryan is a graduate of Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Business. He began his career working at Hewlett Packard and afterwards worked at the Ford Motor Company.

PAUL MOORE
GlowMeter Online Execution

Paul is the director of research at Qualtrics. In this position, he manages the Qualtrics market research and professional services team. Paul has developed and integrated professional service products that serve over 30,000 Qualtrics users globally. Part of Paul's expertise lies in specialized reporting solutions for clients. He has consulted and implemented complex systems for Sony, Expedia, Cox, Heineken, and many others in helping to build the quality and quantity of their research. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Brigham Young University.

CHRISTIAN SMITH, PHD
GlowMeter Consultant

Dr. Smith is currently the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame; Director of the Center for the Sociology of Religion; and Principal Investigator of the National Study of Youth and Religion. From 2000-2005, he was associate chair of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Department of Sociology. The author or co-author of numerous journal articles, Dr. Smith's scholarly interests focus on American religion, cultural sociology, adolescents, and sociological theory. His books include: Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don't Give Away More Money; Moral, Believing Animals: Human Culture and Personhood. He holds a BA is in sociology from Gordon College, and an MA and PhD in sociology from Harvard University.

MIND OVER EYE
Video Production

Mind Over Eye is a post-production powerhouse known for its out-of-the box thinking, full-service capabilities, leading-edge technology, and first-class customer service. Based in Santa Monica, CA, its specialties are broadcast/motion design, advanced visual effects, online editorial, audio, and finishing; but its services also cover all aspects of in-studio and field production, including an in-house, state-of-the-art, high-definition green-screen studio. Mind Over Eye's client list includes such famous brands as Coca Cola, Samsung, Nestlé, Mattel, American Idol, Ford, Nokia, SBC Global, and Intel.

Motion Picture

STEVE GOLIN
Executive Producer

Steve Golin is the Founder and CEO of Anonymous Content, a development, production and management company in Culver City, California. Over the past 20 years, he has earned a reputation for cultivating artistic freedom while maintaining commercial viability, working in the diverse media of feature films, television, commercials, music videos, and integrated media. Golin has amassed nearly 40 film and television projects distinguished by an original and often quirky sensibility. Golin's BABEL, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, was honored with multiple Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, and won the Golden Globe for Best Picture, and Best Director at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

DAVID J. KANTER
Executive producer

David Kanter is a producer and manager at Anonymous Content. In film, Kanter co-produced, with Castle Rock and Warner Bros. Independent, Jon Kasdan's IN THE LAND OF WOMEN, starring Meg Ryan and Adam Brody; and, with National Geographic Films, Across the Medicine Line, which features the legendary Sioux Chief Sitting Bull. In TV, Kanter co-created and executive produced Law & Order: Crime & Punishment, an NBC documentary series. Kanter's impressive client roster includes writer Patrick Sheane Duncan (COURAGE UNDER FIRE), Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donald Margulies (Dinner with Friends), writer Edward Neumeier (ROBOCOP), Emmy-winner Larry Ramin (The Gathering Storm), and director/producer Lesli Linka Glatter (THE PROPOSITION).

PATRICK SHEANE DUNCAN
Screenwriter

Patrick Sheane Duncan is a writer/producer/director famous for his adeptness with substantive, thoughtful dramas and action thrillers. His status as an A-list screenwriter was cemented in 1995 with the release of NICK OF TIME, an action thriller starring Johnny Depp as a man blackmailed into committing a political assassination to free his kidnapped daughter; and MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS, a hit movie starring Richard Dreyfuss as a music teacher who thinks he's a failure for not composing a great symphony until he realizes the enormous impact he's had on his students. Dreyfuss received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in the film. Duncan also wrote COURAGE UNDER FIRE, starring Denzel Washington as an army officer investigating the death of Meg Ryan's military character, which has earned much praise and more than $100 million at the box office worldwide. Patrick also serves on the board of Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.

Board of Advisors

SUSANA R. ZEPEDA
Producer/Manager, Principal Entertainment Former President, Ralph Winter Productions

Susana began her career in San Diego as a successful producer in the TV news business, working with, among others, Peter Jennings. She began her film career as the assistant to the Sr. VP of Disney's Touchstone Pictures. Afterwards, she was a development executive for producer Edward Feldman (WITNESS), where together they worked on 101 DALMATIANS and THE TRUMAN SHOW. In 1998, Susana started El Norte Productions with director Gregory Nava (EL NORTE, MI FAMILIA, SELENA). Together they had a production deal at New Line Cinema to produce urban films. Later, Susana signed on with famed director Martin Scorsese to be his VP of Cappa Productions. Susana is presently overseeing a number of major narrative and documentary film projects with Ralph Winter and Principal Entertainment, including the big-screen adaptation of The Screwtape Letters, which she is co-producing.

MICHEAL FLAHERTY
Co-founder & President, Walden Media

Micheal Flaherty is the president of Walden Media, a company he co-founded with his former college roommate, Cary Granat, to produce films, books and interactive programs that tie directly into school curricula. Acclaimed for such films as THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, CHARLOTTE'S WEB, and BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, Walden Media aims to recapture imagination, rekindle curiosity, and demonstrate the rewards of learning. A native of Boston, Micheal has designed a number of innovative curricula that have captured nationwide attention from publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Boston Globe, which called him "an entrepreneur in education." As an author, Flaherty has been published in National Review, The Boston Business Journal and American Spectator.

BILL CLEARY
Senior Partner, Cleary & Partners

Bill's company is an extremely Web-savvy marketing firm based in Silicon Valley. In 1973, Bill earned a Masters degree in anthropology from SUNY Buffalo, but chose to go into marketing. He began his marketing career in New York City, working on such formidable brands as Pepsi®, Pizza Hut® and Welch® Foods. In 1987, Bill founded Cleary Communications, which later became CKS Group, where he worked with partners Tom Suiter and Mark Kvamme (now at Sequoia Capital) to build and launch major web-based brands, including eBay, Amazon, Excite, Disney, GM, MCI, Mazda, Visa, and Yahoo!. Bill sits on numerous boards, including SUNY Stony Brook and Wildlife Direct (Nairobi, Kenya), working with Dr. Richard Leakey to develop a pioneering, fund-raising website for the famous scientist's research into human origins.

Visual Design

ANTHONY GOLDSCHMIDT
Senior Visual Consultant

Anthony is the founder and president of Intralink, one of the preeminent visual design and communication groups in the industry. "We are in a service business," says Anthony, "and I am proud to work with the quality of talent that I have assembled and that make up the Intralink team. And I am proud to come to work here every day." The name Intralink was created to suggest the linking and integration of visual communication elements. Prior to Anthony's pioneering efforts, movie print campaigns, main titles, trailers, and television spots were all created by different companies. Anthony hails from New York City and is a graduate of St. Bernard's School; Lycée Jaccard in Lausanne, Switzerland; Berkshire School in Massachusetts; Washington University's School of Fine Arts; and the Bauhaus Design Programme at Yale University, from which he received his MFA Degree.

ELI COHEN
Chief Graphic Artist

Eli is Intralink's art director who has created the images associated with some of Hollywood's biggest films - from TERMINATOR 3 to THE AVIATOR and BATMAN BEGINS. During his 7-year tenure at Intralink, Eli has worked for nearly every major movie studio, creating key art, corporate branding, and logo design. Recently, Eli won a Golden Trailer award for his teaser poster for the Warner Brothers BATMAN sequel, THE DARK KNIGHT. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Eli takes pride in being a versatile designer who can work in many different genres and styles, with design that is elegant, intelligent, and full of impact. He is also the proud new father of Jonah Kai Cohen, born March, 2009.

KELLY CARLTON
Chief Motion Graphic Artist

As the creative director of Intralink's famous Motion Graphics division, Kelly creates and leads an amazing team of talented motion graphic designers, whose impressive work ranges from feature main titles to entire CG graphic teaser trailers, which have garnered worldwide recognition. Before joining Intralink in 1998, Kelly first freelanced in Cincinnati then headed west and worked as a designer and animator at Acme Filmworks. Kelly is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, with a M.F.A. degree in Electronic Media and Film.

Public Relations

LARRY WINOKUR
Director of Public Relations

Larry co-founded B|W|R Public Relations in 1979 and, as co-CEO, helped grow it into one of the nation's largest entertainment PR firms. He has served as media advisor to former Vice President Al Gore and personally led projects for three U.S. presidents (Reagan, Carter, Clinton) and Green Cross International president Mikhail Gorbachev. Larry is a driving force in all areas of his company, including TV (American Idol), film (Crash), technology (Netflix), corporate entertainment (Propaganda Films), destinations (Wynn Las Vegas), retail (U.S. Virgin megastore) and consumer products (Michael Jordan Cologne). He works closely with Anthony Kennedy Shriver's Best Buddies International; Southern Poverty Law Center; Center for Science in the Public Interest; Jewish Home for the Aging; and Muscular Dystrophy Association, whose fundraisers created by Winokur remain mainstays after 20 years. He is an adjunct professor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication.

Legal Affairs

STEVEN J. YOUNGER, ESQ.
Chief Legal Counsel

Steve is a partner at Myman Abell Fineman Fox Greenspan & Light, one of Hollywood's leading entertainment law firms. He specializes in all areas of the entertainment business, including film, television, and music. His list of clients span a vast constellation of high-profile actors, writers, producers, directors, authors, songwriters, recording artists, book authors, sports figures, hosts, and others in licensing, publishing, branding, telcos, celebrity merchandising, legitimate stage, videogames, voiceovers, and animation. Steve is a graduate of Loyola Marymount and UCLA Law School, where he earned his J.D. and was Chief Editor of the Law Review. He and his wife are very active in philanthropy.

In Memoriam

GERALD A. MARGOLIS, ESQ.
Former Chief Legal Counsel

Gerry is the late legendary partner at Manatt Phelps & Phillips. A trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience, Gerry brought to his work a profound knowledge of the entertainment and intellectual property business, based on his having served as general counsel to superstar entertainers in all of the media arts. He shall always be a special part of us and this project, for which he gave his all and all. He is survived by his wife Cyndi and daughter Jacey.

Contact Us

To contact us at Philanthropy Project, please write to: info@giveandglow.com

Memorial Day 2010

 

Presidential Proclamation--Memorial Day 2010

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-memorial-day

Since our Nation's founding, America's sons and daughters have given their lives in service to our country.  From Concord and Gettysburg to Marne and Normandy, from Inchon and Khe Sanh to Baghdad and Kandahar, they departed our world as heroes and gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves.

 On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price to defend the United States and the principles upon which America was founded.  In honor of our country's fallen, I encourage all Americans to unite at 3:00 p.m. local time to observe a National Moment of Remembrance.

 Today, Americans from all backgrounds and corners of our country serve with valor, courage, and distinction in the United States Armed Forces.  They stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants of our Nation's history, writing their own chapter in the American story.  Many of today's warriors know what it means to lose a friend too soon, and all our service members and their families understand the true meaning of sacrifice.

 This Memorial Day, we express our deepest appreciation to the men and women in uniform who gave their last full measure of devotion so we might live in freedom.  We cherish their memory and pray for the peace for which they laid down their lives.  We mourn with the families and friends of those we have lost, and hope they find comfort in knowing their loved ones died with honor.  We ask for God's grace to protect those fighting in distant lands, and we renew our promise to support our troops, their families, and our veterans.  Their unwavering devotion inspires us all -- they are the best of America.

 It is our sacred duty to preserve the legacy of these brave Americans, and it remains our charge to work for peace, freedom, and security.  Let us always strive to uphold the founding principles they died defending; let their legacy continue to inspire our Nation; and let this solemn lesson of service and sacrifice be taught to future generations of Americans.

 In honor of their dedication and service to America, the Congress, by a Joint Resolution, approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), 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 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, 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, 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.

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

BARACK OBAMA

Weekly Address: Honoring the Fallen

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog

The White House Blog

Weekly Address: Honoring the Fallen

Veterans

"For their service and sacrifice, warm words of thanks from a grateful nation are more than warranted, but they aren't nearly enough. We also owe our veterans the care they were promised and the benefits that they have earned. We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. It's a commitment that begins at enlistment, and it must never end. But we know that for too long, we've fallen short of meeting that commitment. Too many wounded warriors go without the care that they need. Too many veterans don't receive the support that they've earned. Too many who once wore our nation's uniform now sleep in our nation's streets."

-President Obama, March 19, 2009

Learn more about Veterans

Honoring America’s Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day

www.youtube.com

President Obama asks all Americans to join him in remembering and honoring the men and women in uniform who have died in service to our country.

PRAYER FOR PEACE, MEMORIAL DAY

PRAYER FOR PEACE, MEMORIAL DAY, 2000

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

For many Americans, Memorial Day has come to signify the beginning of summer, the opening of the neighborhood pool, and a time for picnics and barbecues. In the midst of these festivities, however, we can too often overlook the holiday's true meaning. Memorial Day was first observed in 1868 in remembrance of -those who died in the Civil War; since then our Nation has set this day aside as a solemn occasion on which to pay tribute to all the men and women who have died in service to our country.

Throughout our Nation's history, brave Americans have donned our country's uniform to defend our freedom and uphold our values, often far from home and in the face of grave danger. From the battles of the Revolutionary War through the epic struggles of World Wars I and II to today's peacekeeping missions in a world with sophisticated weapons and terrorist threats, the men and women of our Armed Forces have served with skill and courage. While the challenges they face have changed with each passing year, their devotion to duty and to country has remained steadfast.

For more than a million Americans, that devotion cost them their lives but secured for us priceless freedom, peace, and security. While we should remember these patriots every day for the profound contribution they have made to our Nation, we should honor them with special gratitude on Memorial Day.

 This year, to reaffirm the true meaning of Memorial Day, we begin a new tradition by observing a "National Moment of Remembrance." I ask all Americans to unite on Memorial Day in acknowledging the service of America's fallen heroes. Let us reflect on the profound debt we owe to those brave men and women who gave their lives for our Nation, and let us teach current and future generations that our freedom, peace, and prosperity were achieved only through the sacrifice of those who came before them.

In recognition of those courageous Americans, the Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon 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 American people might unite in prayer. In support of the new tradition of a National Moment of Remembrance, the Congress has passed H.Con.Res. 302 calling on the people of the United States to observe a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 29, 2000, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as the time to join in prayer and to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other media to participate in this observance.

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, and I 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-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON