Today was National POW/MIA Recognition Day, set aside for remembering those whom our country has forgotten. Those Prisoners of War or Missing in Action in service of their country.
Most people misunderstand my reasons for supporting a full accounting of our POW/MIAs. It has nothing to do with supporting war or violent acts... in most instances, I most definitely do not. It has everything to do with supporting those who risk their lives to serve their country. These people were called upon to do something most of us could never do, and they deserve better than to be abandoned far from home. For the sake of these brave souls and the friends, family, and loved-ones they left behind, I cannot ever forget.
It's a shame there has to be war at all... but even worse that those who fight on our behalf have to live with the knowledge that they could be discarded by those they have sworn to serve. We should demand more on their behalf, and never forget those not yet returned home.
"A man is never dead until he is forgotten."
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I agree Dave. I detest war but those who serve should never be abandoned by those they trust.
I agree as well, but I’m also put off by the people who have made the POW issue into a a bludgeon to shut down debate about our foreign policy.
It’s become hard to disentangle the good (taking care of our own) from the bad (know-nothing jingoism).
Thanks for making a principled statement.
I have a bracelet of a man who has been missing since the day I was born. That REALLY puts it into perspective for me. I am 39.
My bracelet story is here.
Mine was MIA in 1965, one year before I was born. Since I’m 39 also, that means that as of October 17, he will have been “missing presumed dead” for 40 years.
I’d never even heard of this day until you posted about it. But I did see a sticker in a car in front of me this morning with a pow/mia logo. Didn’t realise there was a specific day for it – just goes to show how bad a job of publicity they are doing!
It is scary that there are people/bodies missing for such a long period of time – sad for the families too.