The Shadow
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN – That is the main phrase behind the POW/MIA remembrance movement that honors America’s prisoners of war, those who are still missing in action and their families. In 1979, Congress and President Jimmy Carter passed resolutions making it official after the families of the then 2.500 Vietnam War POW/MIA’s pushed for full accountability. AI overview)
POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the commitment and the sacrifices made by our Nation’s prisoner’s of war and those who are still missing in action. It is a day of remembrance and hope for the safe and speedy return of American prisoners of war 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 every year.
For some time, there has been debate over when the POW/MIA Flag should be flown – whether daily or on the specific six days noted in the federal law. Those days are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day. The National League of POW/MIA Families is the group that championed the creation of the POW/MIA flag and promoted the observance that became National POW/MIA Recognition Day. At their 32nd Annual meeting in June 2001, they overwhelmlingly voted in favor of the followng resolution: Be it
RESOLVED that the National League of POW/MIA families strongly recommends flying the POW/MIA flag daily to the goal of the fullest possible accounting of ALL personnel not yet returned to “American Soil”
The following is a list of POW’s from our area provided by the Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society (there may be more):
Brackins, Ralph Sidney 1LT
Burch, Jack Norman Staff Sgt.
Coleman, J.B. Jr PFC
Donald, Samuel Everett Capt – CF
Forbes, Fontaine Curry PFC
Fox, Gaston Meredith LT
Rhodes. Henry TEC 5th Grade Army Air Corps
Topping, William Haydn LT-CF
We pray for these veterans and their families. If there are others that we missed, please reach out to Marian Paxton at 843-653-6098 or via email at marianpaxton@gmail.com and we will get that information in the paper.
