News-Info-Alerts

Re: Heroes Honored

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: September 28, 2002

"Washington, D.C. (Sep. 18, 2002) -- Official DOD Poster Graphic provided in observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitals, schools and veterans facilities on September 20, 2002. The day is one of six throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
  
Heroes Honored During POW/ MIA Recognition Day

By Journalist 3rd Class Sunday Williams, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Sept. 20 is National Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day, which has traditionally been observed annually on the third Friday in September.

POW/MIA Day recognizes the sacrifices of those service members who were prisoners of war or are still listed as missing in action.

In 1997, then-President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation stating that the purpose of POW/MIA Day was to “never forget those who have borne the indignities and sufferings of captivity in service to our country.”

While a relatively new day of national recognition, POW/MIA Day traces its roots to 1971 and the design of the nationally known POW/MIA flag.

That flag, featuring a black and white silhouette of a service member whose head is bowed, was designed by the wife of an American servicemember listed as missing in action in Southeast Asia.

Commonly associated by many with the Vietnam War, the day actually recognizes all servicemembers who were POWs or listed as MIA.

From the Vietnam War, 2,047 servicemembers remain listed as POW/MIA. There are 645 Soldiers, 415 Sailors, 263 Marines, 684 Airmen, one Coast Guardsman and 39 civilians who remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.

However, POW/MIA status is nothing new for America’s Armed Forces. In comparison with other wars, Vietnam is the nation’s sixth most costly war in terms of POW and MIA tallies.

In the Revolutionary War, 18,152 service members were listed as POW and 1,426 listed as MIA. In World War I, 7,470 service members were POWs or MIAs. During the Korean War, 7,140 persons were POWs and 8,177 were listed as missing in action.

Of all America’s war losses to POW/MIA misfortune, the single largest was the Civil War, where Union POW/MIA tallies totaled 194,743 servicemembers and Confederate POW/MIAs tallies numbered 214,865 personnel.

In a message sent out by Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., ceremonies and activities in support of the national holiday should honor all former prisoners of war, servicemembers and civilians, who remain unaccounted for, as well as their families.

The message also stated that throughout our history, Americans have fought to protect the freedoms and liberties that our nation represents and our people enjoy.

Ryan asked that people join in honoring all Americans, who have suffered so much in defense of freedom. To the families of the men and women who failed to return home from war, we renew our pledge to continue our efforts to resolve their fate. To our fallen comrades we promise: “you are not forgotten.”

Commands can observe POW/MIA Recognition Day by actively promoting, supporting and participating in the holiday’s ceremonies today. Commands can also take part by flying the POW/MIA flag at military installations and establishing a display or memorial honoring POW/MIA personnel.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, go to their Navy NewsStand Web page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh. "