Today is POW-MIA Recognition Day
Each year in Wisconsin, the third Friday in September is set aside to remember the commitment and sacrifices made by soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who were prisoners-of-war and those who are still missing-in-action.
Andrew Schuster with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, says thousands of Americans are still listed as MIA, dating back to World War II.
“Nationally we’ve got over 20,000 former POWs … and those numbers are getting smaller because many of them are WWII and Korean War. In Wisconsin we have over 300.”
A ceremony doesn’t repay the POWs for their sacrifice, but it’s a way to honor them for their service in order for us to live our daily lives. Wisconsin is home to over 427,000 veterans.
The public is invited to attend the POW-MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in downtown Madison from 11:00 am to noon. Former prisoners of war will be in attendance, along with other veterans.
Jackie Johnson report (1:08 mp3)
