POW/MIA Recognition Day
15 September, 2012 Leave a comment
Each year the President of the United States proclaims National POW-MIA Recognition Day. This day is a day to remember the sacrifice and service of those who have been Prisoners of War, or are still Missing in Action.
The POW-MIA Flag pictured to the left is the symbol of the resolve to NEVER FORGET those who have not come home yet, and those who may have, but suffered as POW’s.
On 21 Sep 2012 Americans will commemorate the 33rd observance of the National POW-MIA Recognition Day. Remembrance ceremonies will be held across military installations, naval ships, veterans organizations and hometowns. There will be some ceremonies held earlier as well. USAG Fort Hamiltonheld their ceremony on 14 September. The ceremony included former POW’s, military families, members of Rolling Thunder and veteran’s organizations. Additionally, a cannon crew from the VCASNY was on hand to fire a salute.
Please take the time to observe this day and remember those who have sacrificed.
The following are the statistics (As of 14 September 2012) from the Defense Prisoner of War Defense Office (DPMO).
| WWII | Korean War | Cold War | Vietnam War | Iraq & Other Conflicts | Total | |
| Total MIA | *73,681 | **7,947 | 126 | 1,657 | 6 | 93,417 |
** Reflects actual number still unaccounted-for. PMKOR database count is slightly higher due to several entries pending administrative review.
* The number represents those missing from World War II as determined from the congressionally-mandated “World War II Return of the Dead Program,” (which ended Dec. 31, 1951), and the final 1956 Army Graves Registration Service (AGRS) roster which listed all WWII individuals considered unresolved by AGRS at that point (it contained 80,871 names but included 6,299 men officially buried at sea who are not considered missing). The present total reflects those numbers as well as those recovered and identified since 1956 and will continue to be updated as ongoing identifications are made or as research supports adjustments to the list.










