.
Prisoner Of War - Missing In Action Veterans
.
|
. Prisoner Of War - Missing In Action Veterans . |
for a former prisoner of war is a blessing" U.S. Senator John McCain |
INDEX: 2007 National POW / MIA Recognition Day MIA - Paul Urquhart of McMurray, PA |
National POW/MIA Recognition Day Friday September 19, 2008
2008 Poster - ( Very Large PDF File )
|
Paul Urquhart, McMurray,
PA
|
(Image and text from the Institute of Heraldry) In 1971, Mrs. Mary Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. The flag is black, bearing in the center, in black and white, the emblem of the League. The emblem is a white disk bearing in black silhouette the bust of a man, watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire; above the disk are the white letters POW and MIA framing a white 5-pointed star; below the disk is a black and white wreath above the white motto: YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN The flag has been altered many times; the colors have been switched from black with white - to red, white and blue, - to white with black; the POW/MIA has at times been revised to MIA/POW.
On March 9,1989, a POW/MIA Flag, which flew over the White House on the 1988 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, was installed in the United States Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th session of Congress. The leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony in a demonstration of bipartisan congressional support. This POW/MIA Flag, the only flag displayed in the United States Capitol Rotunda, stands as a powerful symbol of our national commitment to our POW/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing in Southeast Asia has been achieved. On August 10,1990, the 101st Congress passes U.S. Public Law 101-355, recognizing the National League of Families POW/MIA Flag and designating it "as a symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation." Beyond Southeast Asia, it has been a symbol for POW/MIAs from all American Wars. With the passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act during the first term of the 105th Congress, the..... 'POW/MIA Flag' will fly each year on: Armed
Forces Day - Third Saturday in May The
POW/MIA Flag will be flown on the grounds or the public lobbies
of major military installations as designated by the Secretary
of Defense, all Federal National Cemeteries, the National Korean
War Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
the White House, the United States Post Offices and at official
offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veteran's Affairs,
and Director of the Selective Service System. Civilians
are free to fly the POW/MIA Flag whenever they wish. |
Moderator: As you entered the dining area, you may have noticed a table at the front, raised to call your attention to its purpose -- it is reserved to honor our missing loved ones [or missing comrades in arms, for veterans]. Set for six, the empty places represent Americans still [our men] missing from each of the five services -- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard ñ and civilians. This Honors Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. Some [here] in this room were very young when they were sent into combat; however, all Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way. I would like to ask you to stand, and remain standing for a moment of silent prayer, as the Honor Guard places the five service covers and a civilian cap on each empty plate.
The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men. The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God. The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning's/day's] toast. The chairs are empty -- they are missing. Let
us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America's
POW/MIAs and to the success of our efforts to account for them. Courtesy
of: |
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Advocacy & Intelligence Index for POW-MIA Archives |
 |
MISSING MAN TABLE
& HONORS CEREMONY