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Prisoners of War/Missing in Action honored
POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY SEPT. 16
Though POW/MIA day is important, it’s not yet a federal holiday
The United States’ National POW/ MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is not a public holiday but a national observance. Businesses have normal opening hours.
How is it observed?
Many Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war, as well as those who are missing in action, and their families. All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing.
Veteran rallies take place in many states on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. United States flags and POW/MIA flags are flown on this day and joint prayers are made for POWs and those missing in action. National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are also displayed at college or university campuses and public buildings to promote the day. Remembrance ceremonies and other events to observe the day are also held in places such as the Pentagon, war memorials and museums.
Background
There are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department's POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, as of April 2009. The number of United States personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 841. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam's wartime control, according to the National League of Families website (cited in the United States Army website).
The United States Congress passed a resolution authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day to be observed on July 18, 1979. It was observed on the same date in 1980 and was held on July 17 in 1981 and 1982. It was then observed on April 9 in 1983 and July 20 in 1984.
See POW/MIA, PAGE 7
‘You Are Not Forgotten’ Commitment for POWs/ MIAs remains strong
According to accounts, during the first ceremony of POW/MIA Day at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., fighter airplanes from the military base in Virginia flew in the ‘missing man formation’ in their honor.
History of National POW/MIA Recognition Day
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually in September around a central theme to show commitment to full accountability to the families of captured service members and missing war heroes.
Many service members suffered as prisoners during the several wars that have happened throughout the history of the U.S. National POW/MIA Recognition Day was initiated as the day to commemorate with the family of many of the tens of thousands of service members who never made it home.
The day was first observed in 1979 after Congress and the president passed a resolution to make it official following the demands of the families of 2,500 Vietnam War POW/MIAs who asked for accountability in finding their loved ones.it is also mostly associated with service members who were prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.
Regardless of where they are held in the country, National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies share the common purpose of honoring those who were held captive and returned, as well as the memory of those who remain missing in service to the United States.
Until 1979, there was no formal day set aside for these important men and women and the first observance of POW/MIA day included a remembrance ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Since then, the Pentagon is where the official observance happens, with other celebrations happening at military bases around the country and elsewhere.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Frequently-Asked Questions
How do you celebrate POW/MIA Recognition Day?
Celebrate by raising the POW/MIA flag. You can also visit a themed museum to learn about the heroes and wars that defined the United States.
What is the motto of the POW/MIA flag?
“You Are Not Forgotten.” The motto was adopted together with the flag that was designed years before the remembrance day became official by Mary Hoff; wife of a missing veteran.
Who can fly a POW/MIA flag?
Anyone can celebrate POW/MIA Recognition Day by flying the POW/MIA flag. POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed around the country with the same goal.
Information courtesy Timedate.com
POW/MIA
Continued from page 6
The event was observed on July 19 in 1985, and then from 1986 onwards the date moved to the third Friday of September. The United States president each year proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many states in the USA also proclaim POW/MIA Recognition Day together with the national effort.
Symbols
The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. Newt Heisley designed the flag. The flag’s design features a silhouette of a young man, which is based on Mr Heisley’s son, who was medically discharged from the military. As Mr Heisley looked at his returning son’s gaunt features, he imagined what life was for those behind barbed wire fences on foreign shores. He then sketched the profile of his son as the new flag's design was created in his mind.
The flag features a white disk bearing in black silhouette a man’s bust, a watch tower with a guard on patrol, and a strand of barbed wire. White letters “POW” and “MIA”, with a white five-pointed star in between, are typed above the disk. Below the disk is a black and white wreath above the motto “You Are Not Forgotten” written in white, capital letters.
The flag can also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. The flag can be displayed at the Capitol, the White House, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, national cemeteries, various government buildings, and major military installations.
COURTESY OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION/CREATIVE COMMONS
Bracelets of Remembrance help draw attention to POWs/MIAs
By Ruth Aresvik
VETERANS HELPNET CORRESPONDENT
I am 1 in 5 million. No, not the odds for winning the MegaMillions jackpot. Or not the odds that I would ever be a Space X passenger aboard the next Starship.
I am 1 of the 5 million people who wore a POW MIA bracelet between 1970 and 1976. The nickel-plated bracelets sold for about $3 and were engraved with the name, rank, and loss date of an American serviceman captured or missing during the Vietnam War.
They were first created in May 1970 by a California student group called Voices in Vital America (VIVA) so that American Prisoners of War in Vietnam would not be forgotten.
Missing but not forgotten –the numbers are unfortunate and staggering. As of May 2020, the Defense POA/MIA Accounting Agency within the Department of Defense reports these figures: •72,598 still considered MIA from World War II •7,580 still considered MIA from the Korean War •1,587 still considered MIA from the Vietnam War •126 still considered MIA from the Cold War •6 from conflicts since 1991
In 1979, Congress and President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation (which has been repeated annually by every United States President) establishing the third Friday of September as National POW/ MIA Recognition Day. The first observance of POW/MIA day included a ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Since then, official ceremonies happen nation-wide.
The Missing Man Table, created by the National League of POW/MIA Families, is a major part of any POW/MIA ceremony. The league’s site explains the meaning of the items on this special table as follows: • The table is round – to show our everlasting concern for our missing men. •The tablecloth is white –symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call of duty. •The singe red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and of the loved ones who keep the faith, awaiting answers. •The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. •A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of
COURTESY PHOTO
Master Sgt. Sheila Couzins wore this POW/MIA bracelet in remembrance of Chief Master Sgt. Harold Mullins who was missing since June 1966. She returned the bracelet to Chief Mullins' family after his remains were buried in Arlington National Cemetery in November 2011.
the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. •A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God. •The glass is inverted – they cannot share a toast. •The chair is empty – they are missing.
My bracelet showed the name of a Navy Lieutenant Commander. I was still on active duty when I learned that “my” MIA officer had returned home –safe and alive. Still, countless service members and their families have suffered – and still suffer – from the residual effects, the fears, the unknown and unanswered.
For more information of field operations and recovery actions, go to www.dpaa.mil.
