National POW/MIA Recognition Day in United States

The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.

National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag is displayed with the United States flag. ©iStockphoto.com/Joseph C. Justice Jr.

What do people do?

Many Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing.

Veteran rallies take place in many states, such as Wisconsin, in the United States on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. United States flags and POW/MIA flags are flown on this day and joint prayers are made for POWs and those missing in action. National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are also displayed at college or university campuses and public buildings to promote the day. Remembrance ceremonies and other events to observe the day are also held in places such as the Pentagon, war memorials and museums.

Public life

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States but it is a national observance.

Background

There are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department's POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, as of April 2009. The number of United States personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 841. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam's wartime control, according to the National League of Families website (cited in the United States Army website).

The United States Congress passed a resolution authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day to be observed on July 18, 1979. It was observed on the same date in 1980 and was held on July 17 in 1981 and 1982. It was then observed on April 9 in 1983 and July 20 in 1984. The event was observed on July 19 in 1985, and then from 1986 onwards the date moved to the third Friday of September.  The United States president each year proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many states in the USA also proclaim POW/MIA Recognition Day together with the national effort.

Symbols

The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. Newt Heisley designed the flag. The flag’s design features a silhouette of a young man, which is based on Mr Heisley’s son, who was medically discharged from the military. As Mr Heisley looked at his returning son’s gaunt features, he imagined what life was for those behind barbed wire fences on foreign shores. He then sketched the profile of his son as the new flag's design was created in his mind.

The flag features a white disk bearing in black silhouette a man’s bust, a watch tower with a guard on patrol, and a strand of barbed wire. White letters “POW” and “MIA”, with a white five-pointed star in between, are typed above the disk. Below the disk is a black and white wreath above the motto “You Are Not Forgotten” written in white, capital letters.

The flag can also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.  The flag can be displayed at the Capitol, the White House, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, national cemeteries, various government buildings, and major military installations. 

National POW/MIA Recognition Day Observances

Related holidays

• Armed Forces Day ―Saturday, May 19, 2012
• Memorial Day ―Monday, May 28, 2012
• Flag Day ―Thursday, June 14, 2012
• Veterans Day ―Sunday, November 11, 2012, Observed: Monday, November 12, 2012
• Independence Day ―Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Other holidays in September 2012 in United States

• Labor Day ―Monday, September 3, 2012
• International Literacy Day ―Saturday, September 8, 2012
• Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day ―Saturday, September 8, 2012
• National Grandparents Day ―Sunday, September 9, 2012
• World Suicide Prevention Day ―Monday, September 10, 2012
• Patriot Day ―Tuesday, September 11, 2012
• International Day for South-South Cooperation ―Wednesday, September 12, 2012
• International Day of Democracy ―Saturday, September 15, 2012
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer ―Sunday, September 16, 2012
• Rosh Hashana ―Monday, September 17, 2012
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day ―Monday, September 17, 2012
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day ―Wednesday, September 19, 2012
• International Day of Peace ―Friday, September 21, 2012
• September equinox ―Saturday, September 22, 2012
• Emancipation Day ―Saturday, September 22, 2012
• Yom Kippur ―Wednesday, September 26, 2012
• World Maritime Day ―Thursday, September 27, 2012
• World Tourism Day ―Thursday, September 27, 2012
• World Rabies Day ―Friday, September 28, 2012
• Gold Star Mother's Day ―Sunday, September 30, 2012
• World Heart Day ―Sunday, September 30, 2012