The Friday Fling Remembers POW/MIAs
Friday Fling #146 September 16th 2011
Today Friday September 16th is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The official website notes:
Many Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing.
Veteran rallies take place in many states, such as Wisconsin, in the United States on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. United States flags and POW/MIA flags are flown on this day and joint prayers are made for POWs and those missing in action. National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are also displayed at college or university campuses and public buildings to promote the day. Remembrance ceremonies and other events to observe the day are also held in places such as the Pentagon, war memorials and museums.
There are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, as of April 2009. The number of United States personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 841. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control, according to the National League of Families website (cited in the United States Army website).
The United States Congress passed a resolution authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day to be observed on July 18, 1979. It was observed on the same date in 1980 and was held on July 17 in 1981 and 1982. It was then observed on April 9 in 1983 and July 20 in 1984. The event was observed on July 19 in 1985, and then from 1986 onwards the date moved to the third Friday of September. The United States president each year proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many states in the USA also proclaim POW/MIA Recognition Day together with the national effort.
This Week the Friday Fling Remembers its country’s POWs and MIAs. No format suggested, do it poetically in your own way.
Be sure to save time to read and comment respectfully on your fellow Pals’ poetic remembrances. Then go enjoy another weekend in the freedom they helped preserve, protect and defend.
Fickle Finger of Fate Award for September 9th
Congratulations Barbara!
We have so many to thank for the freedoms that we enjoy. Thanks so much for this powerful theme and tribute to those who have and continue to give so much. And thanks also for the FFF.
Welcome everyone to the Friday Fling POW/MIA Remembrance Day poetry challenge. It is doubly fitting because this year September 16th is also Constitution Day, moved from Saturday to Friday. Of course the Constitution is the document which forms the basic structure and (originally) the function limits of our Federal Government system, which our soldiers including those who became POWs and MIAs served to protect and defend. If so inspired you may also write on that.
Good evening (((Bob)))! I’m here now and ready to read from everyone! :love:
This is a pantoum I wrote last year at this time when we had this theme over at Myspace. This write is based on my cousin that was a Green Beret and a POW in the Vietnam war.
A Mother’s Soldier POW/MIA
He was no more than just a boy
When in the army he was drafted
He was his mother’s pride and joy
Put on hold a skill he crafted
When in the army he was drafted
Sent overseas to Vietnam
Put on hold a skill he crafted
Kissing goodbye was hard for mom
Sent overseas to Vietnam
A feeling of dread chilled her heart
Kissing goodbye was hard for mom
When it was time for them to part
A feeling of dread chilled her heart
Her soldier in an unknown land
When it was time for them to part
Leaving him in another hand
Her soldier in an unknown land
For many months she could not sleep
Leaving him in another hand
Day and night she would always weep
For many months she could not sleep
Missing in action is what they said
Day and night she would always weep
Wondering if he’s alive or dead
Missing in action is what they said
When they came to her house with sad news
It was shocking and unbelieving
Of the brave soldier they did lose
When they came to her house with sad news
It was shocking and unbelieving
Of the brave soldier they did lose
Then suddenly she started grieving
It was shocking and unbelieving
The news was broadcast nationwide
Then suddenly she started grieving
Her emotions she could not hide
The news was broadcast nationwide
The heartache pain of not knowing
Her emotions she could not hide
He must be found, we must keep going
The heartache pain of not knowing
He is his mother’s pride and joy
He must be found, we must keep going
He is a man but always her boy
Michelle R King
9-17-10
This is by Sonnets (Lori).. Thank you, Lori!
A wonderful blog and theme…I’ll come back with a poem for you two a bit later after I’ve spent time with my family tonight! :love: :love: :love:
In the military we have “Military Balls” where everyone goes in mess dress. During the opening remarks the POW/MIA table is always recognized. This ia a table set in a prominate place in the hall. the following is a typical statement about that table……….
You may notice this small table here in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table is our way of symbolizing that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly call P.O.W.’s or M.I.A.’s, we call them brothers.
They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them.
This table set for one is small… it symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.
The table cloth is white… it symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep faith awaiting their return.
The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting for our missing.
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate… to remind us of their bitter fate.
There is salt upon the bread plate… symbolic of the family’s tears as they wait.
The glass is inverted… they cannot toast with us tonight.
The chair is empty… they are not here.
Remember… all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, and relied on them… for surely… they have not forsaken you.
I’m sorry I have been working a friendburst forum too ~ I need to get my ass in bed…….
Three I Have Kept Up With
Three innocent hikers I read
One was released the female
But, 2 were not the males
They were sentenced to 8 years in prison
Just in the past week they are to be released
Released on a 500,000 dollar bail
Just as the female was released on bail last year
They are working it out still and prayers as they do
Though know many are POW/ MIA
Sad what ones go through
For our freedom they do
They give up own lives to fight
Then, cruel they are captured as POW or MIA
Not knowing if they are going to survive or ones will kill
God be with them and ones families as prayeres,shared
the men & women POW/MIA’s don’t know that, not only are their family & friends love & memories keeping them alive, but also millions of strangers who lift them up daily, weekly, monthly are keeping the POW/MIA’s alive… WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY.. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!
be back way later hug’s and smiles
THOSE WHO MAKE US PROUD
They do it because they care,
The most unselfish act of all.
With no hesitation, and no regrets,
They always answer the call.
They know it won’t be easy,
And gets harder day by day.
Yet continue with their efforts,
They do so without delay.
Away from friends and family,
Working deeply into night.
Their work is never ending,
Never willing to lose the fight.
The days and nights get longer,
And pain and exhaustion sets in.
They somehow summon strength,
To them, it comes from within.
Willing to do whatever it takes,
Until the very end.
Our prayers go to them nightly,
For on those we do depend.
Vic Damico
Wonderful blog……I had a POW Bracelet when I was younger from the Vietnam War…I think I told this story before…but when he returned home I sent him the bracelet and received a beautiful thank you letter from he and his wife……
Have a Beautiful Weekend!!!!!!
hug’s and blessings to the families and again
Thank you for all
you have done for us.. so we can have a today
HEROES
Heroes
Are the ones
Standin on the front lines
Keepin us form harm
And are keepin us well
Not all heroes
Are in uniforms
Some are doctors
Nurses officers of the law
Army Navy Marine and Air Force
Some are just plain
Moms and dads
Fightin to protect
Heroes
Are your every day people
Wherethe in uniform are not
Some we dont even know of still
They are there leanin a helpin hand
My dad was a
Hero
Fought in a war
That was not his own
Came home still a
Hero
He kept his family fed
Warm and from harm way
A roof over our head
Heroes
Of war and battle
Stand strong
To protect what is right
Keep our home front free
Heroes
We stand by you
Like angel you never see
Are hear the unspoken words
We are the prays that keeps you strong
And make you not feel so all a lone in your time of need
Written By: Bettie Davis ————————————————————- © September 16 , 2o11
Archived image unavailable
UPON GOLDEN WINGS
Upon wings of golden
freedoms proudly proclaimed,
as once again I’m reminded
in such a powerful way
that those freedoms I so often
take for granted
and enjoy
are mine only
and because
so many others
have paid the price.
And on this day
remembering
those who haven’t
yet come home,
I pray for peace
and their safe return
to their homes
and to these shores.
(c) barbara kausteklis 9-16-11
All such powerful and eloquent tributes. An honor to read all of them.