A POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony takes place at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison. Each year in Wisconsin, the third Friday in September is set aside to remember the commitment and sacrifices made by our prisoners-of-war and those who are still missing-in-action as well as their families and those GIs whose bodies are not yet recovered. “It's important today that we truly understand the service and sacrifice from America's service members, especially those who have endured the hardship in captivity at the hands of their opponents.”
On behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and as the son of a former POW, Secretary John Scocos says the sacrifice, service and legacy of POWs should not be forgotten. “The unknown torture and traumatic stress that these men and women have faced is totally something that our young generation of Americans, and our average citizens … all our citizens should remember their sacrifices as we do all our veterans.”
Despite enduring isolation, propaganda, torture, interrogations, and in some cases execution and other unknown horrors of captivity, Scocos says the POWs fought to return home with honor. “They are a veterans group that have endured so much pain so we can continue to live in a Democratic society.”
Scocos realizes a ceremony can't adequately repay the POWs for their service and sacrifice, but he says it's a way to honor them for their trials and tribulations in order for us to continue with our day-to-day lives.
Related web sites:
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
Pronounce: Scocos
