Oregon POW-MIA Recognition Day to be Proclaimed September 21st

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Jim Willis said more than 88,000 Americans remain missing and unaccounted for.

Salem-News.com

(Salem-News.com) - The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs announced today that Governor Ted Kulongoski has proclaimed Friday, September 21st, to be “POW-MIA Recognition Day” in the state. The proclamation honors the service and sacrifice of American military personnel who have either been captured, held as prisoners of war, or who remain missing in action.

Oregon’s observance will coincide with the National POW-MIA Recognition Day that is celebrated annually on the third Friday in September.

In his official proclamation, the Governor stressed that America must remain determined to gain a full accounting of POWs and MIAs, so they may be brought home with the honor and dignity they deserve. “Our men and women in uniform have proudly stepped forward and endured hardships to defend our country and represent our state,” Governor Kulongoski said. “We will always be grateful to all who have served and on National POW-MIA Recognition Day, we especially honor the patriots who have been prisoners of war and to those who are still missing in action.”

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Jim Willis said more than 88,000 Americans remain missing and unaccounted for.

“When we raise the black-and-white POW-MIA flag as a symbol to these missing Americans,” Willis said, “we remember those who have yet to return and their families who still endure uncertainty concerning their fate. Americans must never forget these heroes, and we cannot cease searching for our servicemembers who are missing in action.”

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Governor Kulongoski invite all Oregonians to join with other states and the nation in honoring all former American prisoners of war and those whose fate is still undetermined.