An Excerpt:
“On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the brave and patriotic Americans who were held as prisoners of war, and we remember those who are still missing in action. For their valor and selfless devotion to protect the country they love, our Nation owes them a debt we can never fully repay. On this day we underscore our commitment and pledge to those who are still missing in action and to their families that we will not rest until we have achieved the fullest possible accounting for every member of our Armed Forces missing in the line of duty…
…NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 19, 2008, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the people of the United States to join me in honoring and remembering all former American prisoners of war and those missing in action for their valiant service to our Nation. I also call upon Federal, State, and local government officials and private organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” - President George W. Bush A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
To observe this day and honor the brave Americans for whom it was created, the Col. James T. Murray Squadron at Air Force ROTC Detachment 340 sponsored a POW/MIA Honor Guard Memorial on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute quad for thirteen consecutive hours. From 0800 to 2100hrs two guards were on silent patrol around a POW/MIA place setting, a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all foreign conflicts. Thirteen AFROTC cadets of Detachment 340 participated in this remembrance ceremony. The hearts of many passing by were touched, remembering the service of our brothers-in-arms and the sacrifices they made.
AAS C/1st Lt. Michael M. Staab
