Celebrating National Senior Citizens
What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of the man who instructs the rising generation?
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Every August, our nation takes a moment to pause and appreciate where we are because of the generation that came before us. Our senior citizens represent the very labor and achievements that are borne out in the freedoms, advancements, and luxuries that we enjoy today.
Communities across the country will host events and activities as a part of National Senior Citizens Day — a day designated to honor our seniors through support and recognition of their achievements.
National Senior Citizens Day is an opportunity to appreciate the wisdom, lifelong efforts, and the continued contributions that our seniors make to continually improve our living spaces and to bolster our sense of community nationwide.
Proclamation 5847 — National Senior Citizens Day, 1988
President Ronald Reagan first designated August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day back in 1988. The text from Proclamation 5847, made on August 19, 1988, is as follows —
Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today, and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honor of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land.<
With improved health care and more years of productivity, older citizens are reinforcing their historical roles as leaders and as links with our patrimony and sense of purpose as individuals and as a Nation. Many older people are embarking on second careers, giving younger Americans a fine example of responsibility, resourcefulness, competence, and determination. And more than 4.5 million senior citizens are serving as volunteers in various programs and projects that benefit every sector of society. Wherever the need exists, older people are making their presence felt -- for their own good and that of others.
For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older -- places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.
The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 138, has designated August 21, 1988, as ``National Senior Citizens Day'' and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim August 21, 1988, as National Senior Citizens Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirteenth.
RONALD REAGAN
Photo call!
Send us your pictures of your National Senior Citizens Day events and celebrations, American flags, flagpoles, ropes, or other accessories! We would be honored to feature your photography in our blog or on Facebook. Remember, photos of damaged flags and accessories are valuable, too.
Was this information useful to you?
Do you have suggestions for information you'd like to see here? If so, please send them our way!
Please send all of your suggestions or questions to service@LibertyFlags.com. We want to hear from you!
Have a great day, from your friends at LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®.
