POW/MIA Recognition Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the commitments and the sacrifices made by our nation’s prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action; and
WHEREAS, according to the National League of Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, thousands of U.S. service members have been or remain classified as MIA including more than 73,000 from World War II, over 120 from the Cold War, approximately 7,745 from the Korean War, and more than 1,600 from the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, on POW/MIA Recognition Day, we remember and honor these valiant members of our military and salute their courageous families, who suffer the pain of ongoing uncertainty over the welfare of their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, we will not forget these patriots who were willing to give their all to preserve and protect our freedom; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alabama commends and endorses the national commitment to account, as fully as possible, for the Americans still missing from our nation’s wars; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alabama calls on the President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to consistently raise, with foreign counterparts, the need for increased action to help account for our missing, alive and dead, and return them to the United States; and
WHEREAS, we are forever indebted and deeply grateful for those who have sacrificed their own safety and freedom for our nation:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim September 15, 2017, as
POW/MIA Recognition Day
in the State of Alabama and urge citizens to join me in expressing gratitude for their tremendous sacrifices.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 30th day of August 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor