Patriots Day
Not until everyone has been found !
The VFW urges the nation to “keep the candle lit” as it observes National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) urges all Americans to remember to memorialize those who were taken captive and later freed as well as those who are still missing in action on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
On the third Friday in September, communities across the country observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which was established by proclamation and signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The day serves as a somber reminder of those whose sacrifice helped secure American freedom and way of life. We would be irresponsible if we did not recognize and commemorate those who underwent such hardships on our behalf, as the plight of the more than 140,000 former American prisoners of war is a responsibility that remains with each of them.
Every American has a responsibility to keep in mind that 83,000 service members are still officially listed as missing in action. Their families continue to hold out hope that they may someday get the call informing them that their loved one has been located. Until that time, we owe them our support and attention.
The more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary ask everyone to remember the service and sacrifice of America’s former POWs and to keep the candle of hope lit until all of our country’s missing service men and women are found, whether by attending a POW/MIA ceremony, setting a special POW/MIA table at an event, or holding a candlelight vigil.