Here at Paradiso Insurance we support our military and veterans. The most honorable thing you can do is to serve our country, and we recognize the sacrifices that our troops make every single day.
While serving, some service members suffered as prisoners of war, or were even declared missing in action and never made it home to their families after conflicts ended. That is why the third Friday of every September we celebrate POW/MIA Recognition Day to honor and remember those who were prisoners of war or became missing in action.
How POW/MIA Recognition Day Started
POW/MIA Recognition Day was first celebrated in 1979 when families of Vietnam War veterans pushed for a day to celebrate POW and MIA veterans. The first POW/MIA ceremony was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and is a reminder of the great sacrifices our service personnel made during combat.
POW/MIA Recognition Day has also been the driving force behind recovery efforts of MIA service members, and steps to find these missing service members still continues today.
The Importance of the POW/MIA Flag
Just like the American flag, the POW/MIA flag should be proudly displayed, especially on POW/MIA Recognition Day. This flag serves as a reminder to never forget about the prisoners of war and missing in action soldiers.
The flag came to fruition when a woman named Mary Hoff wanted a flag created in honor of her husband, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hoff, who was declared missing in action after his plane was shot down in the Vietnam War. The actual designer of the POW/MIA flags was Newt Heisley, who was a WWII pilot, and wanted to represent the sadness, anxiety, stress, and hope many POW and MIA soldiers felt during wartime. This flag is also commonly displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
On POW/MIA Recognition Day, please help us honor and remember all POW and MIA personnel, because they truly have sacrificed so much for our great country.
If you’d like to learn more about how our insurance agency supports our military, click or tap the button below.
