State Health and Human Services Secretary, Gary D. Alexander recently called upon state Veterans Organizations to organize a state-wide day for POW-MIA [Prisoners of War Missing-in-Action] Commemoration and Remembrance. POW-MIA Day is recognized each year on the third Friday of September and this year it falls on Friday September 17, 2010.
All Veterans Organizations interested in participating in organizing this First Commemoration for POW-MIA are invited to a meeting on April 12, 2010 at 11AM at the West Wing Conference Room at Louis Pasteur Building [#57] at 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI.
In a recent letter to Chairman of the Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, Raymond Benkowsky, Alexander wrote, “With POW-MIA Recognition Day before us on Friday, September 17, 2010 it is imperative that we give serious consideration to the importance and significance of this day to the very fiber of American citizenship.” POW/MIA Recognition Day is a day of remembrance and hope for the speedy and safe return of American Prisoners of War, and those still Missing in Action. It also seeks the return of the remains of fallen soldiers.
The first official national commemoration of POW/MIAs was July 18, 1979. It was the result of resolutions passed in Congress. Over the next several years, it was held in varying dates of the year. Finally, in 1986, The National League of Families proposed the third Friday in September as a day to recognize and remember POW/MIAs. This date was selected, as it is not associated with any wars. Each year, the president of the United States issues a proclamation on this day.
Alexander went on further to say, “Our POW- MIAs are a unique part of the American tapestry that deserve respect and gratulation for selfless service beyond the call of duty for their country. I consider it an appropriate and long overdue gesture of thanks to honor these fine Americans annually on POW-MIA Recognition Day.”
Although various Rhode Island Veteran Organizations may remember the day, there is no state-wide commemoration. Anyone interested in assisting in attending the meetings and assisting in the planning of the state-wide commemoration should call Daniel Evangelista at the Rhode Island Division of Veterans Affairs at 401-268-3088. The RI Division of Veterans Affairs is a division of State Government located within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.