You may have noticed this small table here in our lounge? It is in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table is our way of symbolizing that members of our military are missing from our midst. They are commonly called P.O.W.'s or M.I.A.'s, we call them brothers. They are unable to be with us, we remember them.
This TABLE set for one is small - symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors. The TABLECLOTH is white - symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.
The single ROSE displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting their return.
The RED RIBBON tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.
A SLICE OF LEMON is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.
There is SALT upon the bread plate - symbolic of the families' tears as they wait.
The GLASS is inverted - they can not toast with us this night.
The GLASS is inverted - they can not toast with us this night.
The CHAIR - the chair is empty - they are not here.
All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.
Until July 18, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor America’s POW/MIA’s, those returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from our nation’s wars. That first year, resolutions were passed in the Congress and the national ceremony was held at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC. The Missing Man formation was flown by the 1st Tactical Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia. The Veterans Administration published a poster including only the letters POW/MIA and that format was continued until 1982, when a black and white drawing of a POW in harsh captivity was used to convey the urgency of situation and the priority that President Ronald Reagan assigned to achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing from the Vietnam War.
The 1984 National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony was held at the White House, hosted by President Ronald Reagan. At the most impressive ceremony, the Reagan Administration balanced the focus to honor all returned POWs and renew national commitment to accounting as fully as possible for those still missing. Perhaps the most impressive Missing Man Formation ever flown was that year, up the Ellipse and over the White House. Unfortunately, the 1985 ceremony was canceled due to inclement weather, a concern that had been expressed when the April 9th date was proposed.
Subsequently, in an effort to accommodate all returned POWs and all Americans still missing and unaccounted for from all wars, the National League of Families proposed the third Friday in September, a date not associated with any particular war and not in conjunction with any organization’s national convention. Most National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies have been held at the Pentagon. On September 19, 1986, however, the national ceremony was held on the steps of the US Capitol facing the Mall, again concluding with a flight in Missing Man formation.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies are now held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools, churches, National Veteran & civic organizations, police and fire departments, etc. The League’s POW/MIA flag is flown and the focus is to ensure that America remembers its responsibility to stand behind those who serve our nation and do everything possible to account for those who do not return.
The design for the MIA/POW flag was never copyrighted. It became a flag that belongs to everyone, a design that hauntingly reminds us of those we dare not ever forget. Behind the black and white silhouette is a face we can't see...the face of a husband, a father, or a son who has paid with their freedom, for our freedom. Beneath the image are the words... You Are Not Forgotten
www.dtic.mil/dpmo Government site on personnel accounting and recovery matters.
Policies on the rescue of Americans who are isolated, captured detained or otherwise missing in a hostile environment.
www.aiipowmia.com Advocacy of Intelligence Index for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from all conflicts involving the United States
www.pos-miafamilies.org National League of POW/MIA Families wanting an accounting for the 1750 + Vietnam War Missing
www.pownetwork.org/bios Lists biographies on every POW/MIA from the Vietnam War on their loss.
www.virtualwall.org Remembrances, poems, photos, letters, and citations honoring those named on the Vietnam wall. Has alpha listing, by panel, by city & state, by unit. Not affiliated with the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC.
www.jpac.pacom.mil Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. The organization is responsible for recovery, repatriation, and DNA testing in several countries where there are missing American Service Members.
ACCOUNTING COMMAND
JPAC ‘s mission is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of the Nation’s conflicts. The main headquarters is located in Oahu, Hawaii with support facilities located in Bangkok, Thailand, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Vientiane, Laos. Manned by over 400 handpicked Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and DoD Navy civilians this facility identifies on average 6 MIA personnel per month and to date has identified over 1300 service members. There are 18 Recovery teams that travel throughout the world to investigate, recover, and identify Americans who were killed in action but were never brought home.
During a typical mission, a team will interview potential witnesses, conduct on-site reconnaissance, and survey terrain for safety and logistical concerns. By talking with people who reside in the area, they may gain enough investigative and valuable information about additional sites that will be recommended for recovery.
There are an estimated 78,000 missing service members from World War II (35,000 of which have been deemed recoverable – the rest were either lost at sea or entombed in sunken vessels); 8,100 missing from Korea; 1,800 missing from Vietnam; 120 missing from the Cold War; and one missing from the Gulf War.
From the State of Colorado, there are 67 missing from Korea and 33 missing from Vietnam.
This is a very short summary of the JPAC mission. See their Website for more detailed information at www.jpac.pacom.mil
