Nation to observe POW/MIA day on Friday, September 15, 2023 | By James Maersch

Washington Co. WI – POW/MIA Observance Day is commemorated on the third Friday in September. It is the day we pay tribute to former prisoners of war and keep faith in our promise as a nation to bring all of our heroes home.

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Congress passed a resolution authorizing POW/MIA Recognition Day on July 18, 1979.  Each year the President issues a proclamation recognizing prisoners of war and those missing in action. At present, there are 81,900 members of the U.S. military missing or unaccounted for.

A candle remembrance is held at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.

The POW/MIA flag originated in 1971.  The black and white colors represent sorrow, anxiety, and hope.

In conjunction with POW/MIA is the “missing man table,” or Fallen Comrade Table. It is to remind us of those fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. military service members.

Each year, LT Ray Dickop American Legion Post 36 of West Bend displays the “missing man table” at the West Bend Memorial Library. The table consists of eleven elements:

The white tablecloth:  purity.

The empty chair:  no specific person.

The round table: never-ending concern.

The Bible:  faith in a higher power.

The black napkin:  Heart’s emptiness.

The single red rose: family and loved ones.

The ribbon on the vase: love for our country.

The yellow candle: hope.

The slice of lemon: a bitter taste.

The salt on the bread plate: family’s tears.

The inverted wine glass: missing comrades.