In 1979 Congress and the president passed a resolution designating the 3rd Friday of September each year to commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Today, there are still more than 83,000 American military personnel missing in action, according to the Department of Defense Prisoner of War-Missing Personnel Office.  That includes some 73,681 from World War 2; 7,947 from the Korean War; 126 during the Cold War; 1,657 from the Vietnam War; and 6 from Iraq and other conflicts.

Those who have served, and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace always has been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice.  We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and internment.

The American Legion Family is dedicated to ensuring that Americaś POW/MIAs be honored and recognized, not just memorialized. 

Let us remember and never forget their sacrifice. Please take time on Friday, Sept. 20, to say a prayer or pause for a moment of silence to remember the sacrifice they made for our freedom.