Americanism: POW/MIA Remembrance

POW/MIA Recognition Day is a day of remembrance and hope for the safe and speedy return of American Prisoners of Wars and those still Missing in Action. It also seeks the return of the remains of Fallen Soldiers. POW/MIA Recognition Day is the third Friday in September of every year.

POW/MIA Remembrance

• POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremonies save a place for the Missing Man.

• POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the commitments and the sacrifices made by our Nation’s prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.
• National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days specified by law on which the black POW/MIA flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices and military installations.

Federal Law on Flying the POW/MIA Flag

• The Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 105-85, section 1082, signed by President Clinton on November 18, 1997, mandates that the United States Postal Service, the White House, the United States Capitol, the Department of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, all National Cemeteries in the Federal system, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial must fly the POW/MIA Flag on the following designated days each year:
  • Armed Forces Day – the third Saturday in May
  • Memorial Day – the last Monday in May
  • Flag Day – June 14^th
  • Independence Day – July 4^th
  • National POW/MIA Recognition Day – the third Friday in September
  • Veteran’s Day – November 11^th
• If any of these days fall on a non-business day, postal facilities are required to display the POW/MIA Flag on the last business day before the designated day, as directed by Postal Bulletin 21967 dated March 12, 1998.
• For some time, there had been debate over when the POW/MIA Flag should be flown, whether daily or on the specific six days noted in federal law. While not addressing the question of posting the flag at the national/federal level, League members at the 32^nd Annual Meeting in June 2001, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the following resolution:  “Be it RESOLVED that the National League of POW/MIA Families strongly recommends that state and municipal entities fly the POW/MIA Flag daily to demonstrate continuing commitment to the goal of the fullest possible accounting of all personnel not yet returned to American soil.”