POW/MIA Ceremony to be Held at Veterans Cemetery

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!

MIA/POW Ceremony

Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery 11:00 a.m.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Bloomfield, Missouri - 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.

This year’s National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be observed on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. This annual event honors prisoners of war and our missing and their families, and highlights the government's commitment to account for them.

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. 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.

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. 

A table will symbolize the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks.  They are unable to be with their loved ones and families today.  Please join our Veterans as they REMEMBER, CELEBRATE, AND NEVER FORGET their fallen comrades this historic day.  Let us remember and never forget their SACRIFICES so that we may enjoy our FREEDOM!

Beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield a very special ceremony will be held.  Please take a few moments to join them as they pay their respects and never forget those who sacrificed so much for us.