Senator Stavisky Reminds New Yorkers that September 20, 2013 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Senator Stavisky Reminds New Yorkers that September 20, 2013 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day 

Flushing, NY—Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) reminded New Yorkers that Friday, September 20is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

“I hope my fellow New Yorkers will join me to honor the courageous men and women who served our country and have not yet returned home. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to their relatives and loved ones whose  resolve to stay the course of hope exemplifies the spirit of patriotism,” said Senator Stavisky.

As of September 5, 2013, 83,334 American veterans of foreign conflicts from WWI to the Iraq War are still unaccounted for. The search for their whereabouts is managed by the Defense Prisoner Of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO), which was formed in 1993. The POW/MIA Flag is flown six times a year on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day over the grounds or in the lobbies of major government installations and institutions.

The DPMO maintains records and organizes search and recovery efforts for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces past and present, organizes family events, and maintains a website that provides updates and information about open cases and events.

“I continue to stand with the families of our missing heroes,” Senator Stavisky said. “I urge New Yorkers to renew our commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.”