POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony

Attending veterans took turns at the podium to give short speeches about National POW/MIA recognition day. Dick Stender, a local veteran, detailed how the POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States' resolve to never forget about its POWs and missing soldiers. VFW Commander John Skinner spoke.

On Aug. 10, 1990, Congress passed public law 101355 designating Sept. 21 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. In addition, the POW/MIA flag is required to be flown on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/ MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day. The flag must be flown below the national flag and placed above any state flag.

A table was set up as a symbol for the day, each part of the setting serving a symbolic purpose - the single red rose in a vase is 'to remind us of the life of each of the missing' and the slice of lemons on the plate were a representation of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

Clyde Aubrey Burnette, a veteran from World War II, was in attendance. During his service, he spent 13 months in a German POW camp.

The ceremony concluded with 'Taps' being played as the veterans gave salute to the national flag, state flag and POW/MIA flag flying over the plaza in the city park at Jackson Street and Temple Avenue.
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Excerpts from Newnan Times-Herald. Photos by Janet Alford, VFW 2667 Auxiliary