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7h ago

Nation Marks POW/MIA Recognition Day With Ceremonies and Renewed Accounting Efforts

The observance underscores ongoing efforts to account for more than 80,000 missing service members.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) attends an event marking "National POW/MIA Recognition Day" at the Pentagon in Arlington near Washington on Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap)
Members of the VFW Post 304 Honor Guard stand behind The Missing Man Table as the ceremony takes place. A ceremony is held at the Maryland World War II Memorial to mark National POW/MIA Recognition Day- a day established by Congress to honor the sacrifice and courage of American prisoners of war (POW) and Americans still missing in action (MIA). (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
U.S. service members march during an event marking "National POW/MIA Recognition Day" at the Pentagon in Arlington near Washington on Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap)
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during an event marking "National POW/MIA Recognition Day" at the Pentagon in Arlington near Washington on Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Communities held tributes from Massachusetts to Maryland to Tennessee, featuring a Missing Man Table, TAPS, and wreath-laying at veterans monuments.
  • At Knoxville’s East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, speakers honored thousands still unaccounted for, including 1,390 from Tennessee with nearly 1,200 from World War II.
  • Veterans and officials, including Dr. Pat Polis and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jim Mungenast, stressed continuing work to identify remains and bring closure to families.
  • The POW/MIA flag flew at national landmarks and government sites such as the Capitol, the White House, major memorials, federal offices, military installations, VA medical centers, and national cemeteries.
  • Established by Congress in 1979 after advocacy by families, the day highlights DPAA’s progress, with 1,052 identifications since 2019 including 139 so far in 2025.