Each year on the third Friday of September, our nation pauses to observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a solemn day of remembrance for those who were prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. In 2025, this day falls on Friday, September 19, and American Legion Jordan-Duncan Post 15 stands united in honoring the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of these American heroes.

There are still more than 81,000 Americans who remain unaccounted for from conflicts dating back to World War II. These are not statistics. They are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters who wore the uniform of the United States and never came home. Their absence is felt in every corner of our nation, from quiet rural towns to the busiest city streets, and their memory lives in the hearts of their families, comrades, and communities.

At Post 15, we fly the POW/MIA flag with pride and reverence. We honor our duty to remember those who have not returned and support efforts to account for every missing service member. The American Legion has long been a champion for POW/MIA advocacy, urging government leaders to prioritize recovery missions, funding, and diplomatic efforts to bring our missing home.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is not a federal holiday, but it is one of the most meaningful days on our calendar. It is a day to reflect, to educate the next generation, and to recommit ourselves to the promise that America will never forget.

Whether you attend a remembrance ceremony, place a wreath, share a story, or simply take a moment of silence, your act of remembrance ensures that the legacy of these heroes endures.

Let us all remember: freedom is never free, and some have paid a price that we must never overlook. We honor them best by making sure they are never forgotten.