National POW-MIA Recognition Day

1. National POW-MIA Recognition Day Until July 18, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor America’s POW/MIAs, those returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from our nation’s wars. That first year, resolutions were passed in the Congress and the national ceremony was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Missing Man formation was flown by the 1st Tactical Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia. National POW/MIA Recognition Day legislation was introduced yearly until 1996 when it was deemed by Congress that legislation designating special commemorative days would no long be considered by Congress. The President now signs a proclamation each year. In the early years, the date was routinely set in close proximity to the National League of Families’ annual meetings. In the mid-1980s, the American Ex-POWs decided that they wished to see the date established as April 9th, the date during World War II when the largest number of Americans were captured. Subsequently, in an effort to accommodate all returned POWs and all Americans still missing and unaccounted for from all wars, the National League of Families proposed the third Friday in September, a date not associated with any particular war and not in conjunction with any organization’s national convention. National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies are now held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, state capitals, at schools, churches, national veteran and civic organizations, police and fire departments, fire stations, etc. The League’s POW/MIA flag is flown, and 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. POW-MIA Flag In 1971, Mrs. Michael Hoff, the wife of a U.S. military officer listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War, developed the idea for a national flag to remind every American of the U.S. service members whose fates were never accounted for during the war. The black and white image of a gaunt silhouette, a strand of barbed wire and an ominous watchtower was designed by Newt Heisley, a former World War II pilot. Some claim the silhouette is a profile of Heisley’s son, who contracted hepatitis while training to go to Vietnam. The virus ravaged his body, leaving his features hallow and emaciated. They suggest that while staring at his son’s sunken features, Heisley saw the stark image of American service members held captive under harsh conditions. Using a pencil he sketched his son’s profile, creating the basis for a symbol that would come to have a powerful impact on the national conscience. By the end of the Vietnam War, more than 2,500 service members were listed by the Department of Defense as Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). In 1979, as families of the missing pressed for full accountability, Congress and the President proclaimed the first National POW-MIA Recognition Day to acknowledge the families’ concerns and symbolize the steadfast resolve of the American people to never forget the men and women who gave up their freedom protecting ours. Three years later, in 1982, the POW-MIA flag became the only flag other than the Stars and Stripes to fly over the White House in Washington, D.C. On August 10, 1990, Congress pass U.S. Public Law 101-355, designating the POW-MIA flag: “The symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.” Forget Me Knot Wreath Laying Memorial Service Saturday, September 18, 2010 12:ooNoon Grafton Harbor Grafton , Illinois The Forget Me Knot POW-MIA Recognition Program is a joint effort of: St. Louis Area VA Minority Coordinators Grafton Boat Association Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery St. Louis VA Medical Center Tuskegee Airmen, Inc – Missouri Chapter Grafton Harbor ~ The Big Kahuna Office of Mayor Tom Thompson, Grafton, IL Munford Point Marines Dept. of Veterans Affairs – Veterans Canteen Service Patriot Guard Riders Tuskegee Airmen-Scott AirForce Base Chapter Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Gerry New QEM Fire Department District Grafton, IL AL Post 648 and Post 162 Les Fleurs Da La Memoire - Normandy, France

2. Keynote Speaker Ret. Col. (Dr.) J. P. Morgan Tuskegee Airmen, Inc • Memorial Ringing of The Bell Kimberly M. Cochren • Blessing of the Fleet Chaplain Hayden Goodwin • Ret. U. S. Army St. Louis VAMC • Parade of Boats Grafton Boat Harbor • Wreath Laying • This part of the ceremony commemorates those who gave their • lives, Prisoners of War, or those still listed as Missing in Action. • WWII & Korean War Otis Jones, U.S. Army Veteran • POW & MIA John Rain, U. S. Army Veteran • Veterans Past-Present-Future John Tilthman, U. S. Marines Veteran • Three Volley Gun Salute American Legion Posts 648 & 162 • Echo Taps Keith Durham & Tara Bryan • Volunteers Jefferson Barracks • Unveiling of Memorial Stone Kimberly & Alvin Cochren • Presentation of Gifts Craig LaChance • RimaAnn Nelson • Presentation of Presidential Family of William H. Holloman, III • Memorial Certificate Tuskegee Airmen • Closing Remarks Al Cochren • Forget Me Knot Chairman • Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery • Retirement of Colors Munford Point Marines • Roosevelt High School MCJROTC • Joint Services Color Guard • Benediction Chaplain Hayden Goodwin • * * * * * • Simultaneous Wreath Laying Ceremony Les Cochren • Forget Me Knot Co-Chairman • Sacramento, California POW-MIA RECOGNITION CEREMONY • Opening Statement & Craig LaChance • Introduction of the Director Intern • Master of Ceremonies Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery • Attorney Ben Goetten • Illinois State Attorney • Master of Ceremonies • Presentation of Colors Munford Point Marines • Roosevelt High School MCJROTC • Joint Services Color Guard • Pledge of Allegiance Wolf Cub Pack #721, Den-2 • St. Louis, MO • National Anthem Danna Cory, Student • POW/MIA Remembrance Table Read by Ben Goetten • Moment of Silence & Rev. Steve Carr • InvocationMount Herald M. B. Church • St. Louis, MO • Welcome Joe DeSherlia • Grafton Boat Association • Vocal Tribute Caroline Gibson, Student • Greetings from the Mayor Mayor Tom Thompson • Mayor City of Grafton, IL • Greetings from VA Medical Center RimaAnn Nelson, Director • St. Louis VA Medical Center • Acknowledgement of Ex-POW’s Mayor Tom Thompson • RimaAnn Nelson • Former POW’s and family members of MIA please stand • Introduction of Keynote Speaker Ret. Major Yolandea Wood