National POW/MIA Recognition Day

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the most solemn and meaningful military observances in the United States. Held annually on the third Friday of September, it honours American service members who were Prisoners of War (POW) and those who remain Missing in Action (MIA). The day serves as a national reminder that the country’s commitment to its missing and captive personnel is unwavering, and that their families’ long wait for answers is never forgotten.

Origins and Purpose of the Day

The observance emerged during the late 1970s, a period when public awareness of POW/MIA issues grew significantly following the Vietnam War. Families and advocacy groups pushed for greater transparency, accountability, and government action to locate missing service members. In response, the U.S. Congress established National POW/MIA Recognition Day in 1979, creating a dedicated moment each year to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who never returned home.

The day’s purpose is twofold:

• To honour the courage, endurance, and suffering of former prisoners of war.
• To reaffirm the nation’s commitment to recovering those still missing and supporting their families.

This commitment is symbolised by the POW/MIA flag, a stark black-and-white banner featuring the silhouette of a captive service member and the words “You Are Not Forgotten.” It is one of the few flags authorised by Congress to fly continuously at federal buildings.

How the United States Observes the Day

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is marked by ceremonies across military bases, veterans’ organisations, schools, and government institutions. The most prominent observances take place at the Pentagon, where senior military leaders, former POWs, and families of the missing gather for formal tributes.

Common elements of the day include:

• Wreath‑laying ceremonies at memorials and national cemeteries.
• Reading of names of missing service members.
• Moments of silence to honour those who never returned.
• Educational programs that teach younger generations about the POW/MIA legacy.
• Raising of the POW/MIA flag, often accompanied by speeches from veterans and military officials.

Many communities also host “Missing Man Table” ceremonies, a symbolic display featuring an empty chair, a single place setting, and meaningful items representing the absence of missing service members.

The Ongoing Mission to Bring Them Home

The observance highlights the work of the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), which continues to search for, identify, and repatriate missing personnel from conflicts dating back to World War II. Advances in DNA technology, historical research, and international cooperation have allowed hundreds of families to finally receive answers in recent decades.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day reinforces the message that the United States will never abandon its missing service members. It is a promise rooted in military tradition, national identity, and the moral responsibility to honour those who served.

Why the Day Matters

For families of POWs and MIAs, the day is deeply personal. It acknowledges their grief, their resilience, and their decades‑long pursuit of truth. For the nation, it is a reminder that freedom carries a cost—and that some sacrifices remain unresolved.

The observance encourages Americans to reflect on the values of duty, loyalty, and remembrance. It ensures that the stories of missing service members remain part of the country’s collective memory, and that future generations understand the importance of honouring those who have not yet come home.