National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2006

The White House ^ | 9/14/06

[bnelson44]

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

As a Nation, we look to our service men and women as examples of courage and sacrifice. When our country and the world have needed brave Americans to advance the cause of freedom, our men and women in uniform have proudly stepped forward and selflessly endured hardships to defend liberty. We are grateful to all who have served, and on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we give special honor to the extraordinary patriots who have been prisoners of war and to those who are still missing in action. We take inspiration from their valor and loyalty and will not rest until we have accounted for them all.

On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the National League of Families POW/MIA flag is flown over the White House, the Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, U.S. military installations, national cemeteries, and other locations across our country. The POW/MIA flag is a symbol of our Nation's resolve never to forget the service and great sacrifice of the heroes who have carried out liberty's urgent and noble mission, even at the cost of their own freedom. On this day, we express our deep appreciation to each of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines and our enduring commitment to achieve the fullest possible accounting for all of our men and women in uniform who have been prisoners of war or are missing in action.

[bnelson44]

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 15, 2006, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the people of the United States to join me in paying solemn tribute to all former American prisoners of war and those missing in action who valiantly served our great country. I call upon Federal, State, and local government officials and private organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

[llevrok]

No war can be "over" until we know where all our troops are.

[llevrok]

Ping

[SandRat]

[bnelson44]

[onyx]

BTTT

[SandRat]

Tomorrow when you are ready to have your adult libation, be outside and first give a toast to those absent then pour a little bit on the ground to slacken the parched throats of those departed.

[bnelson44]

[Chode]

Capt. Morgan J. Donahue
-USAF 12-13-1968 Laos-
Gone, but NOT FORGOTTEN!!!

[Chode]

MIA - RIP.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

"No war can be "over" until we know where all our troops are."

---

I recently saw a POW/MIA patch that said:
BRING THEM HOME
OR SEND US BACK


Wonder what McCain and Kerry have to say about THAT?!?

(AND THANK YOU VETS!)

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.


The Words:

http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE


The Pictures:

http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm


.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Alamo-Girl]

Buuump!

[Ciexyz]

hear, hear!

[Gucho]

We take inspiration from their valor and loyalty and will not rest until we have accounted for them all.


Bump!

[BykrBayb]

“Since the American Revolution, we have learned that it is not the poet, but the soldier who maintains our freedom of expression; it is not the journalist, but the soldier who maintains our freedom of speech; it is not the lawyer, but the soldier who maintains the greatest system of justice in the world; and it is not the politician, but the soldier who provides for our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.”

[Diver Dave]

From the FResno FReeper Picnic last weekend...

"As you entered the picnic area today, you may have noticed this table - it is reserved to honor our missing comrades in arms from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. They are commonly called P.O.W or M.I.A. Among the ranks of the military they are called "BROTHERS".

Variations of this "POW/MIA Honors Ceremony" have been presented over the years during military functions, and often aboard U.S. Navy ships in the mess hall. This ceremony serves to remind us that they are with us, here in spirit, and we remember them today because, as Americans, we must never forget the sacrifice of our brave men and women who answered our nation's call and served the cause of freedom.

I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.

This table set for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his aggressors… REMEMBER

The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms… REMEMBER

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting his return… REMEMBER

The red ribbon tied so prominently to the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breast of those who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing POW/MIAs… REMEMBER

A slice of lemon is on the plate to remind us of their bitter fate… REMEMBER

There is salt upon the plate, symbolic of the family’s tears as they wait… REMEMBER

The glass is inverted--they cannot toast with us today… REMEMBER

The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation… REMEMBER

Though we may or may not have served directly with these warriors, they are our comrades. We depended on their courage, their skills, their might and aid. We relied upon them, and surely, they have not forsaken us. REMEMBER

Let us pray that all of our POW/MIAs will finally be accounted for.

Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families."

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[freema]

BTTT