National POW/MIA Recognition Day
The Missing Man formation
Today observances will be held on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veteran’s facilities. This is one of six days throughout the year that Congress mandates the flying of the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag. The flag will be flown at major military installations, national cemeteries, all post offices, VA medical facilities, and the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War Veterans memorials.
“My Friend”
by Shorty Estabrook
B/19/24
I lost my friend along the way To this place that I call now. I didn’t want to lose my friend, But I did and don’t know how. I remember how he looked at me As I laid him down to rest, When he said, “I can’t go on, old pal; You’ve seen me at my very best.” “So, leave me now and go your way And when your journey ends, Remember me beside the road, Your buddy and your friend.”
Some of our fellow bloggers who have a similar theme:
Diedra at;
Hillary at:
Pierre – who has multiple blogs:
and Don at:
14th Armored Division liberated a number of German POW camps during WWII
Tell me about those servicemen you think of – they all need to be remembered!
Posted on September 20, 2013, in Korean War, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged family history, History, Korean War, Military, Military History, nostalgia, POW/MIA, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 39 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
As always, a post I love to read, GP.
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Always glad to see you are still enjoying the site. Your site gives me a sports break I like. Our college NCAA “March Madness” basketball championships are about to start, so looking forward to that too.
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Beautiful, moving post. Thank you.
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I appreciate the response.
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Thanks for this post. While in Australia we’ve paid considerable attention to the experiences of POWs since the 1980s, we don’t have a National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I’m also interested in the flag.
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It’s never too late to start a specific day for their recognition. I’ve learned about ANZAC Day and that seems to cover a lot, but I can’t think of any reason why your government would object. What is it you wish to know about the flag?
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A wonderful tribute for the families who have lost loved ones!
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Thank you very much, Elizabeth.
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Once again you’ve put together a beautiful post of rememberance. Thank you. Often when I see a veteran huddled beneath an underpass or over a steam-grate, I wonder if they too aren’t among the missing – we simply don’t count them that way. The combination of the homeless and the mentally ill veterans living on the streets of our nation now make up the largest demographic group of homeless individuals. The largest group of white females happens to also be veterans. The general population would like to say these individuals are all mentally ill but they aren’t. They are veterans returning from one war or another and the VA has taken so long to process claims, etc. that they are literally left homeless. Once an individual is homeless, it’s so difficult to reverse that situation. (Sorry, didn’t mean to rant.)
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That’s quite alright – anytime. Especially since everything you said is true.
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Reblogged this on Practically Historical.
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I’m honored you feel it is put together well enough to include in your blog. Thank you.
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My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who have had loved ones become POWs or are/were MIAs. The not knowing would be exhausting.
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Something that never goes away. Thank you for your comment, Bev.
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May we never forget. Thanks for the reminder!
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I certainly hope not; not if I can help it. Thanks for stopping by, Dadicus.
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So important!! Thank you for posting!
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Thank you, Cindy. It’s good we all remember.
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A beautiful remembrance. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
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No problem, it was certainly my pleasure, but also heartbreaking to put this post together.
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I agree, but necessary.
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Thank you for this post! Yours is one of my favorite blogs of all time…
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Thank you for saying so, this comes from the heart.
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Sad poem. Let’s not ever forget them. They gave up so much 😦
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Yes, they did. That’s why I harp on it so much. Thank you very much for stopping by.
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I always enjoy reading your posts. As I was writing my latest I thought it may be of interest to you. http://dcmontreal.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/world-war-one-coincidences-and-family-birthdays/
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Thanks for leaving the link, another great addition to the family chronicles we love here.
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A poignant poem. I am glad to learn about this special day.
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Thank you. I realize today is a U.S. memorial day, but I’m sure all other countries have a similar day and can relate to this. (That’s also why I included one of Pierre’s sites, even tho he is Canadian.)
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I don’t know that we have a specific day for MIA/POW but I could be wrong.
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I know you honor your military and their service – a specific day is not necessary.
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Yes, most of our official honouring takes place on Anzac Day and Armistice Day. But I must say that every time I travel past a small war memorial (some schools have them in their school grounds ) or war memorial plaque, I remember and wonder about the names and the war times.
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Who ever supplied the plaque should know the history behind it.
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Yes, information will be available somewhere.
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Thank you, Ian.
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