Friday is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, honoring the USA military’s soldiers who were or are prisoners of war (POW) or designated missing in action (MIA).
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“This chair, which we are donating, is a symbol of the great sacrifices made by those who have served our country”, said Bill Keyes, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 25 and vice-president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 349.
The event is to remember those who were prisoners, and the several courageous men and women who are still missing.
Officials say there are now over 1600 soldiers missing and unaccounted for with more than 100 of them coming from Texas.
“Your presence here today proves we’ll never forget”, Jessel said.
The annual program commemorates America’s former prisoners of war, who live in the area, as well as those killed or still missing in action. “My hope is that one day in the not too distant future, we will be able to say that those tens of thousands of people, husbands, fathers, cousins, Americans are all home”.
“The table itself is set for one and its small symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her oppressor”.
“I’ve had lots and lots of family members that have served in multiple conflicts, including myself and ongoing generations”, said Dave Cubo, a Gulf War veteran. “It is emblazoned on our hearts as is the memory of every member that we have lost in battle, and remains missing in action”, the vice chairman said. There is an inverted glass to represent the fact that the solder cannot toast with us tonight.
In keeping with a significant part of its mission to maintain awareness of that fact, Rolling Thunder, Kentucky Chapter 2, is organizing an observation of National POW/MIA Recognition Day for Saturday.
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This nation still has 83,000 service members left behind from all previous wars who were missing in action and/or prisoners of war. “The fact of the matter is, they did, so it is a time to remember that as well”. Their loved one who is gone into harm’s way is also not forgotten.
