Message from Councilman Roshan (Roc) White | September 20, 2024
The POW/MIA Remembrance Day, a solemn observance being held today, is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who have been captured or missing in action.
It's an event held the third Friday of September each year to honor their sacrifices, to remember their families' unwavering hope, and to reaffirm our commitment to bringing them home. Locally, Union County is hosting its annual flag raising at 11 a.m. today on the steps of the county courthouse in Elizabeth at 2 Broad St. The half-hour event will include a rifle salute, the playing of “Taps” and the retiring of the colors.
On this day, we remember and honor nearly 81,000 veterans who were prisoners of war and veterans still missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars, as well as other conflicts.
You may have visited the commemorative chair located in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. with an engraved inscription that reads:
“Let this empty chair serve as a memorial to those who served in the military of our great nation but have not returned home to us.
They are Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
America will forever be grateful for your bravery and sacrifice in service to our nation. We will never forget.”
The history of POW/MIA remembrance dates back to the Vietnam War, when an estimated 2,500 American soldiers were captured or went missing in Vietnam and Laos. Their families, left in uncertainty and anguish, began advocating for their return. There are still nearly 1,600 Americans still unaccounted from that war.
Ongoing recovery efforts, coupled with the unwavering support of veterans' organizations and government officials, led to the establishment of the National POW/MIA Day in 1979. President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation; each year the current president signs a new proclamation honoring this important day.
The significance of this observance lies in its ability to keep the memory of POW/MIAs alive. It ensures that their stories are not forgotten, and that their families continue to receive the support and recognition they deserve. Moreover, it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who have served our country.
Despite the passage of time, there are families in our area of New Jersey that continue to search for answers, with prayers their loved ones will one day return. Their unwavering faith serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the power of hope in the face of adversity.
POW/MIA Remembrance Day is our opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to bringing home those who are still missing. It is also a call to action for governments, military organizations, and individuals to continue their efforts to locate and recover the remains of our fallen soldiers.
Let us commit to never forgetting the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women. On this day we honor their legacy, upholding the freedoms for which they fought.
