Earlier this year, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains of U.S. Air Force Maj. John Creighton Gillespie Kerr, leaving the number of Americans still missing in action and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War at 1,576. The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and its local chapters help find and identify MIA remains through its Veterans Initiative Program, which uses artifacts taken from battlefields such as maps, after-action reports, pictures and other items to help locate the remains of those who gave their lives in service. Your #donations of used #clothing and #household goods to ClothingDonations.org support this program and many others that help living veterans on a daily basis. Schedule a #pickup today! #NationalPOW/MIARecognitionDay
Tag: POW/MIA
How to Observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day
You can #honor American military personnel who were held as prisoners of war and for those still unaccounted for on Sept. 20, National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The solemn event will be celebrated at military installations, veterans organizations and national landmarks such as the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to stress the importance of bringing home those who remain missing. Get involved by attending a ceremony, observing a moment of silence, flying the #POW/MIA flag, learning more about the history and experiences of POWs and MIAs, or #donating to or volunteering with a #veterans organization. #NationalPOW/MIARecognitionDay
Recognizing National POW/MIA Day
In 1979, Congress passed a resolution establishing POW/MIA Recognition Day after the families of the more than 2,500 #Vietnam War POW/MIAs pushed for full accountability. Observed on the third Friday in September each year at the Pentagon, military installations, state capitols, schools and #veterans’ facilities, the day honors those who were held captive and returned home, as well as those who remain missing. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency indicates that more than 81,600 American service members remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars and other conflicts. #POW/MIA
Help Veterans on National POW/MIA Recognition Day
To observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day, attend a local memorial event, visit the grave of a veteran or spend some personal time with a former POW or veteran. Veterans appreciate the recognition; visit the local veterans home or hospital to spread good cheer or contribute to veterans. ClothingDonations.org makes it easy to #donate to #veterans causes — simply contact it to arrange a #free #donation #pickup of used #clothing and #household goods. We’ll resell that lightly used, unwanted stuff and give the money to a range of programs that help veterans of every U.S. conflict. #POW/MIA
The Search for MIA Service Members Continues
Since 1973, the remains of more than 1,000 Americans killed during the Vietnam War have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Some 1,578 Americans still remain unaccounted-for, including hundreds that may be non-recoverable — deceased without recoverable remains. However, DPAA continues to work with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to investigate leads and locate MIAs, successfully identifying five Vietnam-era service members since National POW/MIA Recognition Day last year. #POW/MIA