NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES

OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

1005 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, SUITE 170, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22201

PH (703) 465-7432 www.powmialeague.org FAX (703) 465-7433

2008 NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

A Pentagon ceremony for National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be held on Friday, Sept.19, 2008. This ceremony will feature troops from each of the military services. The president will issue a proclamation commemorating the observances and reminding the nation of those Americans who have sacrificed so much for their country.

Observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans' facilities. This observance is one of six days throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. The flag is to be flown at major military installations, national cemeteries, all post offices, VA medical facilities, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the official offices of the secretaries of state, defense and veterans affairs, the director of the selective service system and the White House.

2007 NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

HONOR THEIR SERVICE……..FULFILL THEIR TRUST

September 21, 2007 will be proclaimed by President George W. Bush as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Over the past several years, all or most of the 50 states have proclaimed POW/MIA Recognition Day in conjunction with the national effort. Please contact your Governor, ask for his/her support and for a copy of your state’s proclamation!

Local POW/MIA ceremonies across the country are encouraged throughout POW/MIA Recognition Week, culminating with countless events across the country and the national ceremony in Washington, DC. Support for these missing Americans and their families is deeply felt. America’s POW/MIAs should be honored and recognized rather than memorialized, with the focus on the need to account as fully as possible for those still missing, alive or dead. Strong, united support by the American people is crucial to achieving concrete answers, and now is the time to start planning for this year’s ceremonies. The American people can make the difference.

Remember: Involving the state-level Department of Veterans Affairs, plus state, district and local veterans organizations, is the key to a successful event. Publicity must be a priority; otherwise attendance will be minimal. To enable the League to accurately respond to media inquiries and measure national awareness impact, please send information regarding activities to League Communications Chairman for these activities, Gail Innes, by email at g.innes@sbcglobal.net, mail to her at 1360 Sandburg Terrace, Apt. 1002-C, Chicago, IL 60610, or call 312-587-8153.

For guidance: Contact your League state coordinator or check the League’s web site: www.pow-miafamilies.org. Additional assistance can be sought from state and local governments, military and veteran organizations, ROTC, church groups, civic clubs, etc. A POW/MIA awareness contact should be available at each military installation, and invitations should be extended for military attendance and participation in these events.

To get media coverage: Contact local and state newspapers, magazines, military, church and school publications at least four weeks prior to Recognition Day. Send information packets, available from the League office, to editors, bureau chiefs, columnists and feature editors. If possible, contact a journalist who has written responsible articles on the POW/MIA issue. Write letters to the editor, outlining scheduled events and encouraging community participation.

Advertising: Develop posters and/or flyers to advertise local activities in the windows of area businesses. National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are available from all Military Services, major national veteran organizations, the Defense POW/MIA Office (703) 699-1169) and the League.

Solicit donations of advertising space for League ad slicks in local newspapers, newsletters and magazines. Should donated space not be available, seek assistance from local businesses or veteran groups to underwrite the cost of paid ads.

Invitations: For all events, invitations may be sent to POW/MIA families in your area through the Service Casualty Offices (USA 800-892-2490; USN 800-443-9298; USMC 800-847-1597; USAF 800-531-5501), the CIA 703-874-4271, State Department for missing civilians 202-647-5470, and the League’s national office 703-465-7432. Invitations should also be extended to area veterans organizations, local dignitaries, civic organizations, etc. Speak to local civic clubs, veterans groups and auxiliaries, schools and churches prior to Recognition Day about the POW/MIA issue and plans for educational activities. Get them involved!

Other Programs

You can also circulate Petitions to Hanoi as a group or individual effort for Recognition Day. Completed petitions should be sent to your congressman and/or your two senators with a request that they be forwarded, with a cover letter, to Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, (SRV) 1233 Twentieth Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. This serves a two-fold purpose: 1) informing elected officials of constituent involvement; and 2) signaling Hanoi of US Congress support.

Most states have memorials to honor POW/MIAs and all veterans. POW/MIA Vigils (for 24 hours or for a specific amount of time related to the number of Americans missing in your area) are beautiful, visible displays of support for the POW/MIA issue. Vigils can include candlelight ceremonies, reading of individual names form the state or 50 names representing one from each of the 50 states. Congressional involvement in such events also signals support for the issue.

Encourage flying the League’s POW/MIA flag at the State Capitol, city hall and other local and state government buildings. Contact fire and police departments, schools and local businesses, requesting display of the POW/MIA flag at all appropriate locations. Check your local office of the U.S. Postal Service to ensure they have a flag and plan to display it, as required by law, on at least the six days required, if not 24/7.

Rededication ceremonies may also be held for flags that are already on display, an ideal event to honor POW/MIAs from all wars. To obtain POW/MIA flags, contact the Ohio Chapter MIA-POW, Mrs. Liz Flick, 614-451-2405.

Distribute POW/MIA brochures, available from the League’s national office, 703-465-7432.

7/27/07