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Prisoner of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA)POW/MIA Bracelet HistoryHistory of the POW/MIA Flag History of the POW/MIA Recognition Days History of the POW/MIA (Missing Man) Table
POW/MIA Bracelet HistoryThirty-five years ago, the first POW/MIA bracelet was introduced to the public on Veterans Day, November 11, 1970 in Washington DC. Now years later, bracelets are being rediscovered in jewelry boxes and various home storage areas. Not everyone knows the fate of their veteran nor have they contemplated whether to return the bracelets or keep them as a symbol of their commitment to the support of our troops. Various web sites tell the history of the bracelets as explained in great detail by Carol Bates Brown:
The History of the POW/MIA FlagIn 1997, bills passed the House and Senate mandating the POW/MIA flag will be flown on specific holidays. The 1998 Defense Authorization act noted that the flag must be flown on: Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Recognition Day. In 1998, the Veterans Administration noted the flag would fly EVERY day at their facilities. It must be predominately displayed at: The White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, headquarters of the Selective Service System, major military installations as designated by the Secretary of the Defense, all Federal cemeteries and all offices of the U.S. Postal Service. By the law passed in 2002, it must fly year-round at: The National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Various web sites explain in great detail the history of the POW/MIA flag.
History of the POW/MIA Recognition DayNo commemorations for honoring America’s POW/MIA's were held before July 18, 1979. National ceremonies for POW/MIA Recognition Day are presented throughout the nation’s military installations as well as city and state memorials, government institutions, ships, schools, churches, police and fire stations and around the world. It has always been the foremost statement that 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 original date was routinely set to coincide with the yearly convention of the National League of Families of POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia. However the American Ex-POWs felt that the date of April 9th was better served since it represented the day during World War II when the largest number of Americans were captured. To accommodate all returned POWs and all Americans still missing and unaccounted for from all wars, the National League of Families later proposed to set the date of the third Friday in September. This way it would not be associated with any particular war nor in conjunction with any organization's national convention. Deemed by Congress after 1995, National POW/MIA Recognition Day legislation is introduced yearly but no longer is proclaimed by Congress. Therefore it is the President who each year continues to sign the special proclamation. Various web sites explain in great detail the history of POW/MIA Recognition Day.
History of the POW/MIA (Missing Man) Table CeremonyThere is nothing more poignant than witnessing the empty chair sitting at a POW/MIA table with incredible significance for every displayed feature of this ritual. Witnessing the ceremony
that accompanies this memorable event brings more than just a simple emotion. There are numerous websites that describes the ceremony and the various procedures within the event
but the origin of the "Missing Man" POW/MIA ceremony is documented mostly by word of mouth.
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