Ceremonies were held at sundown on Friday in both Simi Valley and Ventura to remember the sacrifices of almost 140,000 former American prisoners of wars and nearly 83,000 Americans who are still missing and unaccounted for.
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The POW-MIA Day Ceremony was hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 910 and the Corpus Christi Mayor’s Committee for Veterans Affairs on Saturday morning at Sherrill Park.
“They are prisoners of war without a prison”, Garguilo said. “Today, we unite, and we vow we will never forget the missing”. Jerry Brown. The names of 161 of California’s missing in action from the Vietnam War were read by students from Anacapa Middle School, members of the Militants Motorcycle Club and the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, among others.
Of the men and women who served our country in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and later conflicts, there are now 82,666 whose fates and whereabouts remain unknown.
The observance is also one of six days per year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag.
Another woman who’s father was taken prisoner in war agrees.
The third Friday in September was National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a day to pause and remember there are thousands of families that are waiting for information of what has happened to their loved ones as they were protecting our freedom.
“We are so thankful to 20th Century Chevy for allowing us to be a part of their event”, said Diane Smith, one of the organizers.
The remains of soldiers lost in wars as far back as World War II and Korea are still periodically found.
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“Today we fly the black and white flag across the country”, Harris said.
