Across the nation members of the American Legion Family led POW-MIA Recognition Day commemorations.
According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), more than 81,000 U.S. servicemembers are unaccounted for from World War II to the present. Through resolution, The American Legion remains committed to achieving a full accounting of all U.S. servicemembers from all war eras who are either imprisoned or listed as missing in action. The organization also works to ensure that those outside of the military and veteran communities don’t forget that thousands of U.S. military personnel never came home.
To raise awareness about the POW-MIA issue outside of the non-veteran community, American Legion Family members stage events honoring our missing in action – especially on the third Friday of September, which has been recognized as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Across the nation, American Legion posts either hosted or took part in commemoration ceremonies or events that brought in community members, government leaders and others to honor those who remain unaccounted for, dating back to World War II.
We’ve put together a small sampling of such ceremonies and events that took place on or around Sept. 19. Posts that conducted similar commemorations are urged to share their stories and photos at Legiontown.org.
Arizona
In Yuma, dozens attended American Legion Post 19’s POW-MIA Recognition Day breakfast and ceremony that included the Empty Chair Ceremony and guest speaker Yuma High School JROTC Senior Instructor James Branch, a retired U.S. Army major.
"It's imperative that we strive to make sure this doesn't ever happen again to any veteran that volunteers to serve this country," said Post 19 commander Walt Blakesley.
California
In Palm Springs, American Legion Post 519 took part in a sunrise POW-MIA ceremony at City Hall. Post 519 Commander John Picken conducted the Empty Chair Ceremony, noting that the table “is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families.”
The POW-MIA flag also flew outside during the day, thanks to a new flag ordinance that now allows the POW/MIA flag to be displayed at all city buildings on designated holidays. The policy change was advocated for by U.S. Navy veteran Amado Salinas, chairman of the American Legion Department of California National Security & Foreign Relations Committee.
“It’s all because of Amado’s tenacity that city council recently approved changing the flag ordinance,” Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte said.
Florida
In Jacksonville, Florida’s American Legion Riders conducted their fifth annual Seven Bridges POW/MIA Remembrance Ride, traversing the area’s seven bridges that cross the St. John’s River. More than 270 motorcycles and an additional 86 passengers took part in the 90-mile, 2.5-hour ride, which finished up at the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum on former NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville for a ceremony and social event.
Participating in the ride were Department of Florida Commander Jessica Moore, First Vice Commander Bob Matheson, as well as other Florida American Legion Family leadership.
Massachusetts
In Pittsfield, Charles Persip American Legion Post 68 hosted its third annual event at Veterans Memorial Park that included a report on current POW-MIA recovery efforts from keynote speaker Brian Sedgewick, commander of American Legion Post 1236 of New Lebanon, N.Y.
"We're actually making progress," Sedgewick said. "In over 50 countries around the world, there are active investigations going on, where you have investigators out there interviewing actual witnesses, descendants of witnesses, family members that actually took part in burying American service personnel who may have a recollection of where they might be. All over the world, our investigators are out there just trying their best to find as many as we can possibly bring home for the next of kin.
"We must never forget and continue to strive to bring as many of the fallen servicemembers home to their loved ones as can."
American Legion Post 68 Commander Woody Vaspra also shared his personal connection to the POW-MIA issue. "I … had a friend who was a POW for eight years, and he came back, and he didn't last too long, but at least he made it back to see his family," he said. "Then my roommate and pilot trainer was shot down, and he was missing in action, and they finally, after a while, found his remains. He's now on the Vietnam Wall, and that's why I'm very active in these activities, to honor those gentlemen and everybody else."
Missouri
In Union, American Legion Post 297 teamed with Veterans of War Post 12243 for a POW-MIA remembrance ceremony that included special guests, an update on POW-MIA accounting efforts and a wreath-laying ceremony.
New Jersey
In Seaside Heights, the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of New Jersey continued its 35-year tradition of its POW/MIA Watchfire. The 12-hour vigil takes place on the beach, where New Jersey SAL members light and maintain a fire overnight to provide a beacon of light home for U.S. POWs and MIAs.
Watch video of the watchfire’s opening ceremony here.
New York
In Syracuse,American Legion Post 41 conducted a commemoration at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
"We just want to make sure that the people who attend today's ceremony don't forget about the local people who are still gone," Onondaga County Commander William Galvin, said.
Ohio
In Wapakoneta and ahead of POW-MIA Recognition Day, American Legion Post 330 donated more than $11,000 to the DPAA. The post raised $11,800 for the DPAA’s efforts; the agency pledged to match that amount.
Department of Ohio POW/MIA Chairman Ralph Reynolds, sergeant-at-arms of Post 330, alongside Post 330 Commander Brian Brown and Trustee Chuck Curry, were cited for leading efforts to raise the money.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Pennsylvania conducted a POW-MIA ceremony at the state capital in Harrisburg. The ceremony took place at Soldier’s Grove and included remarks from Department of Pennsylvania Commander Patrick Love, Department Adjutant Woody Hogan and Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, a combat veteran and student at the U.S. Army War College.
Wisconsin
· In Franksville, Harvey Fun American Legion Post 494 hosted a District 1 American Legion Family POW/MIA Silent March. Following the march, a ceremony took place at the post.
· In West Bend, Lt. Ray Dickop Post 36 and the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 111 honored prisoners of war and those still missing in action during a ceremony at Veterans Plaza in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
- Honor & Remembrance