This commemoration is set aside to honor the commitment and the sacrifices made by this nation's Prisoners of War and those who are still Missing in Action, as well as their families. By custom, it is often observed in Pentagon ceremonies on the third Friday in September.
Decisions on exact dates of observance rest with local planners depending on the needs of the military or civilian community. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days specified by law 36 USC 902 on which the black POW/MIA flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices and military installations
POW/MIA
by Del (Abe) Jones
For as long as we have wars
And we send our young to fight
We'll have those who are missing
And the POW's plight
all people of this Nation
Have this duty to fulfill
We must keep them in our thoughts
And we must have the will
To bring every one home
And do all we can to find
All those POW/MIA
And leave NO souls behind.
Until they are all accounted for....we have a cause!
You are not forgotten.
Don't List Me M.I.A.
by Chuck Hall 1989
I don't know if you'll read this,
We've been forgotten here
So many years have come and gone,
We hardly seem to care.
The war has now been over
For low these many years
Life goes on, and now there's none,
To wipe away our tears.
Just call me P.O.W.
Don't list me M.I.A.
I fought until my capture
What more can I say?
My friends all ask the question,
"Why don't they set you free?"
"You don't belong here with us."
"You're not their enemy."
They don't call you P.O.W.
You're listed M.I.A.
So no one really gives a damn,
And no one stops to pray.
Unless your brothers mourn you,
And work to set you free,
You'll spend your life as missing
And be the same as me.
Tell my friends I miss them,
As I suffer through my day
And tell them I'm a prisoner,
Don't list me M.I.A.
If there is a GOD in Heaven
His light will shine on me.
The gates will swing wide open,
At last I'll be set free.
So now you know my story,
I've said all I can say.
Now my fate is up to you
Don't list me M.I.A.
50,000 NAMES CARVED IN THE WALL
There's teddy bears & high school rings,
And old photographs that mamas bring,
That daddies with their young boys, playing ball.
There's combat boots that he used to wear,
When he was sent over there,
There's 50,000 names carved in the wall.
There's cigarettes, and there cans of beer,
And notes that say, 'I miss you dear,'
And children who don't say anything at all.
There's Purple Hearts and packs of gum,
Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons,
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall.
They come from all across this land,
In pickup trucks and mini vans,
Searching for a boy from long ago.
They scan the wall and find his name,
The teardrops fall like pouring rain,
And silently they leave a gift and go.
There's stars of David & rosary beads,
And crucifixion figurines,
And flowers of all colors large and small.
There's a boy scout badge and a merit pin,
Little American flags waving in the wind,
And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall.
AND THERE'S 50,000 NAMES CARVED IN THE WALL.
IN 1997, JAMIE O'HARA COMPOSED AND RECORDED
50,000 NAMES CARVED IN THE WALL."
GEORGE JONES ADDED THE SONG TO HIS
001 ALBUM "STONE COLD COUNTRY."
O ONE CAN HEAR THE WORDS OF THIS SONG WITHOUT SENSING THE GREAT LOSS OF THE SOLDIERS, AND THE PAIN THEIR FAMILIES
ENDURE TO THIS DAY.
ACTUALLY, THERE ARE NOW 58,209 ON THIS WALL.
THERE WERE 153,303 WOUNDED IN THIS WAR. TROOPS THAT WERE SEVERELY DISABLED, TOTALED MORE THAN 80,000.
PS..Please take the time to say a prayer for them.
