Steve Wilson Gathers Quotes From Veterans and Other Leaders
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was first observed in 1979, with the first official ceremony taking place at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. It is observed annually on the third Friday of September. Space Coast Daily’s Steve Wilson asked Veterans, and leaders from around the county and country, to share their thoughts on this very important day. (flag image:Zscout370)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – National POW/MIA Recognition Day was first observed in 1979, with the first official ceremony taking place at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. It is observed annually on the third Friday of September. Space Coast Daily’s Steve Wilson asked Veterans, and leaders from around the county and country, to share their thoughts on this very important day.
Alec Hall, USAF * Bonnie Carroll, ANG * Brian Mitchell, USAF * Chaplain Chip Hanson, USMC * Cindy Van Bibber, USA * Lt. Col Dan Rooney, USAF, ANG * Col. David Panzera, USAF, ANG * Debbie Mayfield, Senator * RADM Denise Hinton * Denise Stewart * Denny Luke, USN * Don Pearsall, USA * Donn Weaver, USA * Dorothy Walsh * Brig Gen Eric Froehlich, USAF * Gabriel Coleman * Gary Miracle * Gib Bosworth * CMSgt Gloria Weatherspoon, USAF * LTG Guy Swan III, USA * RDML James Hart, USN * GEN Jaqueline Van Ovost, USAF (ret) * Dr. Javier Molinares, USA * Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, USA * CAPT Jeff Gernand, USN * Jim Bartlinski * John Casey * Dr. John Nicklow, USPHS * Jonathan Lopez, USA * Jordin Chandler * GEN Joseph L. Votel, USA (Ret) * Kim & Garren Cone * Kip Mathias, USA * Dr. Lance Armstrong, USAF * MAJ Leah Bucholz, USA * Linda Knoblach-Harkness * Lisa Cullen * Mary Fish * Michele Rigby Assad, Ex-CIA * Sheriff Mike Chitwood * Pam Cain * PK Cannon, USMC * Rocky Sickman, USMC * Rosa Reich, USAF * Rose Yeary, USA * Sharon Hagle * Dr. R. Shaun Ferguson * Ray Herring III * Mayor Rob Medina, USMC * Sam Houston, USN * Col. Steve Bond, USA * Steve Crisafulli * Steve Lum * Suzanne Hoff Ogawa * Ted Kimmey, USA * Brig Gen Terrence Adams * Dr. Terry Spain, USN * Tim Bobanic * Tim Thomas USA * Walt Marshall, USN * Wendy Albrecht Kembel, USA * William Toti, USN * William Vanasse, USA (Ret) * CMSgt Willie Holmes * Yolandria Dixon-Carter, USA * Zachary C. Parker, USN *
Rocky Sickman, USMC, Held Hostage by Iranians for 444 Days – “As someone who was held captive for 444 days during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, I know the difficulties I experienced, but often during that time thought of the trauma and anguish my parents endured. Not knowing how I was doing, or even if I was alive or dead. I thought of my poor dad going to work every day and people asking if he had any news about his son. Or my mom doing her best to keep her family together and strong.
I have great empathy for the MIA/POW community and their families who patiently wait and hope for any news.”
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, USA Special Forces – “We don’t leave people behind, we will never forget. To every Gold Star and Blue Star family in our state: we see you, we remember them, and we will never rest until every American in uniform comes home.”
GEN Joseph L. Votel, USA (Ret), Commander of the U.S. Central Command (2016-2019), Commander U.S. Special Operations Command (2014-2016) – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day stands as a solemn reminder that freedom carries a heavy cost paid by those who were captured, and often never returned, in defense of our nation. Honoring their sacrifice and the enduring anguish of families still awaiting answers is not a once-a-year gesture but a lasting national obligation to remember, account for, and never leave our fallen and missing behind.”
GEN Jacqueline Van Ovost, USAF, (Ret) 14 Commander of United States Transportation and Commander Air Mobility Command – “The first time I attended a Freedom Flyer reunion at Randolph Air Force Base, I watched something I didn’t expect. As the missing man table ceremony unfolded — the salt for tears, the inverted glass that will never be filled, the single rose for the families still waiting — I looked at the former Vietnam POWs around me. Their faces told me everything. These weren’t symbols to them. Every element was real.
That moment changed how I experience every POW/MIA ceremony since. I hadn’t fully understood the weight of that table until I sat in a room with men who had lived what it represents.
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, I think about that room.
Throughout my career, Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command have served as the logistical backbone for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency — providing the transportation network that supports active recovery missions in Laos and Vietnam, and the repatriation flights that bring service members home. This past March, we supported the 100th Pacific battlefield disinterment in Manila. These are not abstract operations. They are promises kept, one flight at a time.
My affiliation with the River Rats — the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association — deepened my understanding of what “leave no man behind” truly means to those who flew together, who know a name on the missing list. That bond is not ceremonial. It is fierce and permanent.
To the veteran and military community of Brevard County, and to the families who have waited the longest: I hope you still feel those emotions as real — the weight of the salt, the silence around that inverted glass. Because the moment it stops feeling real is the moment we stop truly remembering. And the men and women on that list deserve far better than that.
We will keep searching until everyone is home.”
William Toti, USN – Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of the Navy – “They ventured off into the darkest of missions, never to return. For most, their absence is no longer a mystery to be solved, but a debt to be honored. Our mission is now to keep their place at the table until each one can be found, and each story can be told.”
Chief CMSgt Willie Holmes, USAF (Ret) – “Today, we pause to honor the courageous men and women who were prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. Their service reminds us that freedom comes with a profound cost. We also recognize their families, who have carried uncertainty, grief, and hope with extraordinary strength.
To every veteran here today; thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, and your commitment to our nation. Your service will never be forgotten. May we continue to honor our POWs and MIAs not only with our words, but by living with gratitude, supporting our veterans, and teaching future generations the true meaning of service.
Until every hero is accounted for, we will remember. We will honor. And we will never forget.”
RADM Denise Hinton, (Ret), Former Deputy Surgeon General of the United States, Former Acting Surgeon General of the United States, Former Chief Scientist of the Food and Drug Administration – “On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of all who have served and continue to serve in defense of our nation, with special remembrance for our prisoners of war and the more than 80,000 Americans who remain unaccounted for from past conflicts. We reaffirm our sacred commitment that no one who has worn the uniform in service to our county will ever be left behind or forgotten, and we stand beside the families who continue to bear the profound weight of an absent loved one.
I am especially grateful for former prisoners of war such as Commander George Thomas Coker, U.S. Navy (Ret.), whom I had the honor and privilege of meeting, and whose continued commitment to sharing his story ensures that the sacrifices of our POWs and MIAs are never forgotten. We remember them, we honor them, and we remain steadfast in our promise to bring them home.”
Guy C. Swan III, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, Retired – “Our nation has made a commitment to the men and women of America’s armed forces that no matter what happens to them, we will always bring them home – however long it may take.
This commitment – this bond – is extremely rare in other nations and contributes directly to soldier battlefield confidence and performance. Our troops fight better than others because they know and trust that they will always be cared for and will never be left behind.
No other nation goes to the level of effort that the United States does to bring home a single injured soldier, fallen comrade, or missing trooper. It’s the American way and a source of national pride.”
Florida Senator Debbie Mayfield, Senate District 19 – “It is extremely important to remember the more than 80,000 American service personnel who remain unaccounted for on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. These brave men and women sacrificed so much to defend our freedom, and we must never forget their service, their sacrifice, or the families who continue to await answers. We honor their courage and keep their stories alive as a reminder of the tremendous cost of defending our nation.”
Brig Gen Eric Froehlich, USAF, (ret) – “Early in my career, I had the profound honor of supporting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, whose mission is to identify and recover the remains of Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation. That experience shaped me as a young officer and deepened my appreciation for our enduring commitment to bringing home every service member possible.
Later in my career, I had the privilege of knowing Retired Air Force Colonel Lee Ellis, author of Leading with Honor and a former Vietnam prisoner of war in the Hanoi Hilton. Lee’s mentorship profoundly influenced my leadership philosophy and positively impacted the Airmen I was honored to command. Today, as a CEO and business leader, his lessons, including the principles embodied in the Stockdale Paradox, continue to guide me through challenging circumstances.
It is no overstatement to say that the sacrifices, resilience, and experiences of America’s POWs and those still listed as missing in action have had a lasting impact on my life and leadership. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor their service, remember their sacrifice, and reaffirm our commitment to never forget them.”
RDML James M Hart USN (ret) – “In Florida, 1,109 veterans are classified as missing. These veterans participated in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and conflicts leading up to the present day.
I think it is important that we remember and honor our POW/MIA veterans. I am proud of America and of our government’s continued efforts to search for those who remain missing.
A good example is the recovery of LTJG Ralph C. Dupont, who was shot down on October 12, 1944, during the Battle for Taiwan. His remains were identified on June 10, 2025, and he was buried with full military honors in St. Augustine, Florida, on October 12, 2025 — eighty-one years to the day after he was lost.
His return reminds us that remembrance is not only about the past; it is also a continuing commitment to bring the missing home and honor their service.”
Brig Gen Terrence Adams, USAF, Retired, Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the SECWar and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy – “After nearly 39 years of military service, I understand that the true cost of freedom is measured not only in sacrifice, but also in the lives of those who never made it home and the families who continue to wait.
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, my heart is with our prisoners of war, those still missing, and the loved ones who have carried their absence with courage and hope. Their sacrifice is personal to me, and their legacy remains a solemn reminder of the responsibility we share to honor those who served. You are not forgotten. Your families are not forgotten. We will never stop remembering.”
Lt Col Dan Rooney, USAF, ANG, Founder and CEO of Folds of Honor – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day plays a vital role in recognizing former prisoners of war and those still missing in action.
At Folds of Honor, we understand the importance of honoring sacrifice. The funds we provide for academic scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders is vital, but equally important, it shows the families that their loved ones have not been forgotten.”
Gib Bosworth, Vice President of Programs, Gary Sinise Foundation – “The National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom that we must always remember and honor for those heroes we lost for their courageous sacrifices to defend our freedoms. The National POW/MIA anniversary on September 18, 2026, brings additional importance, especially as our nation pauses to remember the 25 anniversary of 9/11 occurring the week before.”
Cindy Van Bibber, USA, Cemetery Director, Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs – “As a veteran, I understand that in times of war, there is always the possibility you may not make it back home – you could become a casualty, POW or MIA. For families and communities of the latter two, that uncertainty is uniquely traumatic, and it is made even harder when the whereabouts and condition of a loved one remain unknown as ‘Missing in Action’.
As a National Cemetery Director, I have witnessed the profound relief and solace that comes when a missing loved one is finally identified and brought home. The moment of repatriation, when a family can lay their hero to rest in a national cemetery, provides a measure of closure after years – sometimes decades – of uncertainty.
On POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor not only the sacrifice of our missing service members, and those that were POWs, but also the enduring hope and strength of their families. Recognizing these sacrifices makes me grateful that we come together as a nation to remember and honor POW/MIA Veterans with a National Day of Recognition.”
Yolandria Dixon-Carter, USA, Chief Warrant Officer Five (R), First Chief Warrant Officer of the Army, (Ret) – “We often say, “out of sight, out of mind,” but when it comes to our POWs and MIAs, that should never be our posture. “No one left behind” is more than a phrase… it is a promise that even when our Warriors are out of sight, they will never be out of our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers, or our commitment to bring them home. And we must never forget the families, who hold onto hope and wait for answers.
We, as a Nation, have an obligation to remember … until every story is answered and every Warrior is accounted for …. WE WILL REMEMBER! I certainly will… Why? Because they mattered then, and they still matter today.”
Col. David A. Panzera, Florida Wing Commander, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary – “The nation that endures is the nation that remembers who it is that preserves it. Millions have served in uniform, yet we still have over 80,000 that have not “come home.” For their courage and sacrifice it will always be incumbent upon all citizens to faithfully seek their return and what they gave to preserve us a nation.
We need to teach our children and involve them in ceremonies to honor those deserving of our highest regard. Civil Air Patrol routinely seeks to inculcate our teenage cadets with the mindset of remembering the fallen, honoring the POW/MIA and instilling in them an appreciation of the highest order for that level of devotion and sacrifice.”
W.L. Vanasse Jr, LTC, USA (RET), “OPERATION HOMECOMING” – “I was in charge of POW Military Police support at Ft Gordon Ga. when Operation Homecoming started. When each plane load of ex-POWs arrived, the families were held back by a military escort officer.
As Col. Benjamin Purcell, who was the highest-ranking Army POW, came down the aircraft stairs, his wife was told she had to wait five minutes until her husband gave his remarks. Mrs. Purcell, in her stern voice stated: “I’ve waited five years, I’m not waiting five minutes.” Away she went to hug her husband.
After his remarks, in a show of strong will and love, Col. Purcell then walked to his son, a West Point Plebe, came to attention and inspected his son from toe to top. Doing so as his right arm rose with his eyes until they locked on to his son’s.
and the Col. finished a perfect salute. Willpower at its best. He then hugged his son. GOD BLESS AMERICA.”
COL Steve Bond, USA, (Ret) Member-Elect, MOAA National Board of Directors, Past President, MOAA Florida Council, Past President, Cape Canaveral Chapter – “POW/MIA Recognition Day reminds me that our nation’s commitment to its service members never ends. After 30 years in the Army with combat service in Panama, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom, I know the sacrifices our military families make. This day honors those who were captured or never came home, and reminds us that we must never forget them — or stop working to bring them home.”
Don Pearsall, USA, Veterans Connections, Vice President Brevard Veterans Memorial Center – “I remember one day in Vietnam we were shot down by enemy ground fire. Our greatest fear, other than survival, was to evade the Viet Cong. I can’t even imagine what my brothers went through and how their families are today without them.”
Jeff Gernand, CAPT USN (Ret) – “This National POW/MIA Recognition Day, my thoughts are with the family of CAPT “Red” McDaniel (USN).
Shot down, while flying his A-6 Intruder near Hanoi on May 29, 1967, Red was held in the North Vietnamese prison system for six years. The Hanoi government did not acknowledge he was a prisoner until March 1970, so his family had no idea of his status for nearly three years. Red was finally released in March of 1973, following the cease fire.
This man was particularly important to me since his son, Michael, was a US Naval Academy classmate and close friend. The McDaniel family experience significantly impacted my world views concerning commitment to service, tenacity, and faith.
Red died on August 7 this year at the age of 94. Serendipitously, I reconnected with Mike on that very day as he was officiating the wedding of another dear friend. Bittersweet indeed.”
Michele Rigby Assad, Ex-CIA Intelligence Officer, Keynote Speaker, Corporate Consultant, Author – “One of the most selfless things a person can do is give their life for another. On this day of remembrance, we stop our busy lives to give praise, share gratitude, and honor all those who have given their lives for our country, and for us. God knows all the persons and their names, and we pray that their sacrifices are never in vain. We seek to honor them by living lives worthy of their sacrifice.”
CAPT Sam Houston, USN, (Ret) Chairman of the Board, National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum – “The fact that the concept for the iconic black and white POW/MIA flag originated in Jacksonville brings closer to home the families that are still waiting for their loved ones to come home! National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a reminder that our nation is committed to the fact that no service member will ever be left behind nor forgotten.
It brings back memories of the time I served in Vietnam, and I can honestly say there were some fond memories, and some not so fond as would be expected in a war zone! It’s also a reminder of the excellent efforts DPAA is doing in bringing our missing services members home to their loved ones, who will finally realize the end of decades of uncertainty and find some sense of peace and comfort.
Finally, it is a time for all of us to reflect on the sacrifices that our military men and women endure while serving our great country!”
Gloria Weatherspoon, CMSgt, USAF (Ret) – “As a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant who served our nation for more than 27 years, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is deeply personal to me. The more than 80,000 service members still unaccounted for are not simply a number, they are children, our family members, parents, friends, and fellow warriors whose absence continues to be felt by generations of families. On September 18, we honor their courage, remember their sacrifice, and renew our commitment to seek answers for those who are still waiting. We must ensure that our nation’s promise remains unwavering: You are not forgotten.”
Dr. Javier Molinares, U.S. Army Veteran, 82 Airborne Division – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who never made it home, but it is also a time to remember the families they left behind. Every missing service member has a spouse, children, parents, or brothers and sisters who have lived for years, and sometimes a lifetime, without knowing what happened to their loved one. That kind of uncertainty never truly goes away. As a U.S. Army veteran, I believe we should honor not only those who are still missing, but also the military families whose strength, hope, and sacrifice often go unnoticed. We must never forget either of them.”
Alec Hall, PMP, President & CEO, Alliance Cyber, USAF Veteran, 2025 National Vetrepreneur of the Year – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day is moment to reflect on the more than 80,000 Americans who never came home and the families who still wait for answers. Their courage and sacrifice are a solemn part of our nation’s history. We keep faith with our missing brothers and sisters in arms by committing to account for every missing American and supporting those tasked to bring them home. Until every possible answer is found, they will not be forgotten.”
Dr. Lance Armstrong, DC, USAF, Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 President – “It doesn’t mean much to our public today for a few reasons. After 80,000+ went “Missing in Action” (MIA) and possibly became ‘Prisoners of War’ (POW) from WWI through the Vietnam war, the US changed policy and left no one behind in Afghanistan. Not one forgotten service member. Many families today do not have a missing US Service member from the past wars.
The subject is horrific and morbid, represented by a black flag with a prisoner silhouette in white. Today people want smiles and rainbows. However, my missing cousin, a WWII Pilot will never be forgotten, and the search is on for his plane. This is due to the efforts of Rolling Thunder, a national MIA/POW advocacy group focused on helping find these missing troops.
We die twice. First when we take our last breath, and second when our name is last spoken. US Army Air Corp Lt Wallace P Currie is not forgotten.”
Wendy Albrecht Kembel, Active-Duty U.S. Army Disabled Veteran – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day: A Veteran’s Prayer – As a veteran, I ask you to join me in prayer this September 18 for those still missing who may survive, for families facing agonizing uncertainty, and for the fallen whose remains we still seek. I ask everyone to pause and think about the freedoms we take for granted – every single one purchased at an unimaginable price by the service members on the missing list and their families who continue to bear that burden. Let’s be grateful for our freedom and steward it lovingly; that, and prayer, are the greatest gifts we can give to the POWs, MIAs, and families who sacrificed so much for us. God bless.”
Ted Kimmey, Brevard County Educator, U.S. Army (retired) – “As a veteran, West Point graduate, and educator, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a solemn reminder of the thousands of American service members who never returned home and whose families continue to carry the burden of unanswered questions. We honor their sacrifice by ensuring their service is never forgotten and by teaching the next generation the importance of duty, honor, and commitment to our nation.”
Sharon Hagle, Space Ambassador ®, Blue Origin NS-20, NS-28 – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a reminder that freedom comes with a tremendous price. We honor those who were prisoners of war, those still missing and the families who have carried the weight of uncertainty for generations. Their courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten.”
Linda Knoblach-Harkness, President, American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Florida – “POW/MIA Recognition Day is a solemn reminder that the cost of freedom should never be immaterial. It is carried in the hearts of families who still wait with hope, and who still deserve answers. For them, this day is not symbolic, it is deeply personal. Their loved ones served our nation with courage, and their absence is a wound that time has not healed.
We can never allow those who are still Missing in Action or held as Prisoners of War to fade from our national memory. If our country forgets them, they are forever lost. And we are better than that. As Americans, we honor every man and woman who has worn the uniform of this great nation, and we reaffirm our promise: you are not forgotten.”
Steve Lum, CEO, Slug-A-Bug – “‘You Are Not Forgotten’, these are the words that appear on the POW/MIA flag. In all American military conflicts, there are those who’ve fought and ultimately sacrificed for our country, for our ideals for our freedoms and for our inalienable rights and for our humanity. Many have never, many will never come home. Some remain prisoners of war even now. Many passed in captivity and were never returned.
Tens of thousands were lost at sea and rest within the cold dark depths of earth’s oceans. Over 81,000 soldiers from all branches of service from all conflicts since World War II are listed as unaccounted for. The POW MIA Flag is representative that the search and return of POWs and MIAs whether alive or passed is and will remain an active rescue mission, for we are not to forget those who have sacrificed for God and country and we are not to forget the families that even now await the return of their loved ones. ‘They are not forgotten.'”
Kim & Garren Cone, AVET Project – “When you have looked into the eyes of an American former POW and heard firsthand the unimaginable things they endured in captivity, and listened to a military spouse describe the years of waiting, hoping, and wondering if their loved one would ever come home, the words ‘You Are Not Forgotten’ take on a much deeper meaning.
Behind every POW/MIA name is an American military service member, a family, and a sacrifice that must never be forgotten. We honor our American heroes who came home, stand beside the families who waited and those who are still waiting, and reaffirm our nation’s promise to every American service member who remains missing: You Are Not Forgotten.”
Dr. R. Shaun Ferguson, Councilman/Pastor/Mayor-Elect, City of Rockledge – “On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we pause to honor the courageous Americans who served our nation and never returned home, and the families who have carried the weight of their absence. Their sacrifice must never fade from our collective memory. As a community and as a nation, we remain committed to the solemn promise: You Are Not Forgotten.”
Chaplain Chip Hanson, USMC – “I am the Chaplain for Rolling Thunder, which was formed to honor all American POW, and to make Americans aware of the tens of thousands MIA. As a Marine Corp Combat Veteran we never left anyone behind. However, I do understand the circumstances of those who were. My personal beliefs are that until they all are brought back home, no American should give up the search.” Semper Fi
John W. Nicklow, PhD, PE, PH, DWRE, President, FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – “Duty is sacred. Duty is honorable. Doing one’s duty whole-heartedly and with excellence owes to a strength of character, an abiding spirit of resolve, and a devotion to something larger than self. This day honors all those who answered the call to serve their country — and do their duty. Florida Tech is privileged to honor them as well.”
Leah Bucholz, PA-C, U.S. Army Veteran, Founder & CEO, Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting – “As a Veteran, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a powerful reminder that our responsibility to those who served does not end when a war ends or when the rest of the country moves forward. Behind every service member who remains unaccounted for is a family that has lived without the answers and closure they deserve.
‘Leave no one behind’ is more than a phrase we use in the military. It represents a commitment we make to one another. Remembering our prisoners of war, those still missing, and the families who continue to wait is one way we honor that commitment. Their service and sacrifice deserve to be remembered not only on September 18, but by every generation that follows us.”
Walt Marshall, Membership Chairman, Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1, and United States Navy Veteran – “Every American should be concerned that we still have over 80,000 of our military either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action (POW/MIA). These brave people signed a blank check, offering up their lives to defend America’s way of life. Many will never be recovered, and the ones that are will be nearly impossible to identify.
Our organization, Rolling Thunder® Inc., Florida Chapter 1, is dedicated to raising public awareness of our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
As you sit down for your next meal with your family, please offer a prayer to remember the POW/MIA of families with an empty seat that will never be occupied again.
Florida currently has 1109 still listed as POW/MIA.”
Rosa M Reich, Captain, USAF – Former, President, Military Officers Association of America – Cape Canaveral Chapter – On National POW/MIA Remembrance Day, we pause in solemn gratitude to honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring service of those who were prisoners of war and those still missing in action. We also remember the families who continue to carry the weight of unanswered questions, steadfast hope, and lasting love for their missing loved ones. We further honor the service members who carry the memory of comrades lost in service to our country, and we recognize the lasting impact of their sacrifice.
Lisa Cullen, CFC, Brevard County Tax Collector – “As a proud American, it is imperative that those held as prisoners of war and those missing in action must be remembered. Their sacrifices were great as were those of their families. On this day, let us remember and pray for them.”
Steve Crisafulli, Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a solemn reminder that our nation must never forget the brave men and women who served in defense of our freedoms and never returned home. We owe it to them, their families, and all who have worn our nation’s uniform to continue the commitment to account for those who remain missing and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Mayor Rob Medina, City of Palm Bay, USMC – “On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the American service members who never returned home and the families who continue to carry the weight of their absence. More than 80,000 Americans remain unaccounted for, and even one is one too many. We have a responsibility as a nation to remember their sacrifice, to stand with their families, and to never stop seeking answers. In Palm Bay, we will always remember those who served, those who sacrificed, and those who have yet to come home.”
Rosemarie Yeary, Commander American Legion Post 420 – “As an American Legion member, POW/MIA Remembrance Day is important because it represents our promise that no service member will ever be forgotten.
At every official meeting of the American Legion, we place a POW/MIA flag on an empty chair to remind us that behind every empty chair is a veteran who served, sacrificed, and may never have had the opportunity to come home. As members of the American Legion, we have a responsibility to remember those who were prisoners of war and those still missing in action, and to support their families.
For me, remembering POWs and MIAs is more than honoring the past — it is keeping faith with those who served and making sure future generations understand the cost of freedom. We may not know where every missing service member is, but we can make sure they are never forgotten. ‘You Are Not Forgotten.'”
Jordin T. Chandler, Community Advocate and Board President for Neighbor Up Brevard – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day is deeply meaningful to me. It is a time to honor those who served but never returned home and to recognize the families who continue to live with their absence. “You Are Not Forgotten” means preserving their memory, honoring their sacrifice, and carrying their legacy forward. As I believe, a nation’s gratitude is measured not only by how we honor those who returned home, but by how faithfully we remember those who never did.”
Michael J. Chitwood, Volusia County Sheriff – “Our nation owes everything to the generations of service members who took great risks and put their own lives on the line on behalf of all Americans. For the thousands who were taken prisoner, never came home from war or remain missing in action to this day, we have a duty to remember and honor their selfless service. Although they may not be here with us today, they are not forgotten. They represent the best of us, and we should all strive to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.”
Mary Fish, American Legion Auxiliary President, Florida Unit 348- “POW/MIA Recognition Day is a day to honor those who endured captivity while serving our country. It reinforces the promise on the POW/MIA flag, “You Are Not Forgotten” to the families of those who are still waiting for closure regarding their loved ones who never returned. There are still 81,000 US soldiers who remain missing today. As a nation we should be committed to locating, and identifying the brave men and women who answered the call of duty to our country. We must never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures there are those who have sacrificed more than we can imagine. Bring them home!!”
Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS) – “POW/MIA Recognition Day is a solemn reminder that ‘You Are Not Forgotten’ is more than a phrase. It is a promise, and that promise carries an obligation to keep searching, keep accounting, and keep bringing our nation’s missing home.
For American POW/MIA families, some of those answers have taken decades, and some families are still waiting. Time does not lessen our responsibility to them. At TAPS, we know that remembrance cannot end with a ceremony, a flag, or a single day on the calendar. It means continuing the search, speaking the names of those who have not returned, standing beside the families who still wait, and honoring those who came home carrying the visible and invisible wounds of captivity.
On POW/MIA Recognition Day, we renew a sacred promise that now resonates across generations and across nations: we will search for them, we will bring them home whenever humanly possible, we will stand with those who wait, and we will never forget.”
Denise Stewart, Principal, Cocoa High School – “National POW/IA Recognition Day is an important reminder that we can never forget those who served our country and never made it home. We owe it to them and to the families who have spent years waiting for answers to continue honoring their service and sacrifice.
As an educator, I believe we also have a responsibility to teach the next generation that our freedoms have been protected at an extraordinary human cost. Remembering our POWs and MIAs is more than an act of gratitude; it is a promise that their service, their sacrifice, and their names will continue to matter and be honored.”
Brian Mitchell, Commander, DAV Chapter 32, USAF (Retired) – “On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 18, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 32 proudly joins our community and the nation in honoring the more than 80,000 American service members who remain unaccounted for.
Beneath the Stars and Stripes — the enduring symbol of the freedom they defended — and alongside the POW/MIA flag, we remember their courage, sacrifice, and service. We stand in solemn support of the families who have endured years, often generations, without knowing the full fate of a loved one.
Our nation has a lasting obligation to pursue the fullest possible accounting for every missing service member and to ensure they are never forgotten. The DAV mission is rooted in service, advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to helping veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. As veterans helping veterans, we recognize that America’s promise to those who wore our nation’s uniform does not end when the conflict is over.
On this day, we encourage all citizens to pause, reflect, and proudly display the American flag with the POW/MIA flag. Together, they represent both the liberty for which our service members fought and our nation’s unwavering pledge: You Are Not Forgotten. May they serve as a visible reminder that America remembers, honors, and continues the mission to bring every missing service member home.”
Gary Miracle, Christian, Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Author – “There are American heroes who left home to serve our country and have yet to return. Today, we pause to remember their sacrifice, honor their families, and make a promise that must never be broken: You are not forgotten!
Until every hero comes home…we remember. Jesus come quickly.”
Suzanne Hoff Ogawa, MIA Daughter of Michael G. Hoff – “My father has been MIA since 1970, and this is a very important day to remember all that are still missing and unaccounted for and to educate and bring awareness of this matter to others. It is a reminder to our government that we will not forget and are still hoping our loved ones are accounted for and brought home.
My father was stationed at NAS Cecil Field when he deployed, and my mother raised money and had the first memorial built there for all the servicemen and families affected by this war. My mother, in her fight for answers had the idea for the POW/MIA flag (originally a banner) and contacted Annin flag company whose graphic designer, Newt Heisley, himself a WWII vet, designed it. Her contribution was to keep it black and white, that was the POW uniforms.
This banner was adopted by the National League of families in 1972 and under the guidance of the League was changed to a flag. This is the only other national flag we have today besides Old Glory.”
Dr. Terry Spain, USN, (retired), Terry Spain Consulting – “Every single dog tag tells a story that ain’t finished yet, and 80,000 of them are still out there waiting to come home. I spent 21 years wearing the uniform, and not a day went by I didn’t understand that some of my brothers and sisters never got that flight back. POW/MIA Recognition Day isn’t a checkbox on the calendar for me, it’s a debt we owe. We don’t leave people behind, not in the field or Fleet and not in our memory.”
Jim Bartlinski, Director, Fort Bragg Army Museums, Army Museum Enterprise, U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum – “When you consider that there are still more than 80,000 American service members unaccounted for, National POW/MIA Recognition Day serves as a profound reminder of the immense sacrifices made for our freedom. Here at the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum, we view it as our duty to preserve those stories. When you walk through our exhibits, you aren’t just looking at artifacts, you’re experiencing the incredible resilience and sacrifice of these service members who survived unimaginable circumstances.
For example, we share the story of U.S. Army Special Forces Lieutenant James ‘Nick’ Rowe. He was captured by the Vietcong in 1963 and spent five grueling years in South Vietnam’s ‘Forest of Darkness’ before he finally overpowered his guard and escaped in 1968.
Moving forward to 1989, we highlight the incredible rescue of Kurt Muse, an American civilian held hostage in a notorious Panamanian prison under the constant threat of execution. Our Operation ACID GAMBIT exhibit shows how U.S. Army Special Operations forces executed a daring, six-minute rooftop raid to pull him out and bring him home.
Then, from the 1993 mission in Somalia, we feature the harrowing experience of U.S. Army Special Operations pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Durant. Many people know the story of ‘Black Hawk Down,’ but our exhibit holds actual artifacts from the 11 days Durant spent in captivity after his helicopter was shot down in Mogadishu.
Ultimately, these stories of captivity, survival, escape, and rescue are about keeping a promise. We invite all to visit the museum to experience these stories firsthand, reflect on their courage, and help ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.”
Tim Bobanic, Supervisor of Elections, Brevard County – “This year, as we celebrate America’s 250, I am reminded of all the reasons why I am proud to be an American. Foremost is our Nation’s commitment to our Armed Forces and the vow of our government to never forget the service of the men and women who have not returned home. I’m grateful to live in a country that recognizes the cost of the heroes who have faced unthinkable conditions as prisoners of war or who are still missing in action. Our country’s ongoing commitment to return these men and women to their loved ones is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made to defend our country.”
Ray Herring III, Regional Director, Athletics Advancement, University of Notre Dame, Founder 321Empowerment – “This day allows us to acknowledge the core military pledge: “You Are Not Forgotten” – a vow that no service member left behind in battle will be abandoned. We must continue to take care of our men and women who serve our country. Honoring this day allows us to amplify the voices of military families who live with painful uncertainty, pushing for answers regarding their missing loved ones.”
John Casey, Community Leader, Veterans Advocate – “Many soldiers were taken as prisoners or went missing during multiple wars. While some may have made it home, many never did. Those who went missing in action are definitely not forgotten.
My father served in the Army Air Corps at the end of World War II and my brother served in the 101st Airborne at the end of the Vietnam War. Both of them made it home to our family. God Bless those who didn’t make it home and God Bless our troops and their families!”
Denny Luke, USN, American Legion Department of Florida, POW/MIA Chairman – “The American Legion has long remained steadfast in its commitment to our POWs and MIAs. We remember the families who continue to wait for answers. We recognize the veterans who endured captivity. Most importantly, we honor their courage, their dignity, their sacrifice, and their service to our nation.
For the sixth consecutive year, The American Legion Department of Florida will partner with the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum for a day of remembrance, education, and community engagement. This year’s activities will include:
* POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony honoring our POWs, MIAs, and their families
* Dreamland Squadron Flyover paying tribute to America’s missing and fallen heroes
* American Legion Riders Seven Bridges POW/MIA Remembrance Ride arriving in support of the Memorial and its mission
* Live entertainment throughout the day
* Food trucks, refreshments, and family activities
* Opportunities to connect with veterans, veterans’ service organizations, and community partners
Together, we can ensure that the sacrifices of our POWs and MIAs and the families who have carried their absence for generations are never forgotten.”
Donn Weaver, USA, (Former) – “As a Gold Star Father whose son fell in combat but is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, pow/mia recognition day means very much to me. For those thousands of family members who await word and return of their loved ones, they do not have final peace.
I recently served at a ceremony for a Korean War Veteran killed in 1950 who was missing for 7 decades. His family and many others attended his final ceremony at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in March of this year. One veteran closer to having all come home.”
Pam Cain, National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum, Board of Directors/Advisor – “The POW/MIA issue and the fate of our missing and POWs has been part of my life since 1966, when my father, (then) Maj Oscar Mauterer, USAF, was shot down over Laos. Though he parachuted and was confirmed to have reached the ground, he was never a POW but is still missing and unaccounted for to this day….60 years.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a reminder to our nation that almost 81,000 American heroes are still missing, unaccounted for and need to be returned to the country they sacrificed all for. The process of finding, returning and identifying our missing is tedious, very expensive and not even known to many. The 3 Friday in September needs to be a date when all of us re-commit, re-energize and remain determined to get home as many of our missing as possible. We must be undaunted by time and undeterred by challenges!”
Lt. Zachary C. Parker, Chaplain, U.S. Navy – “National POW/MIA Recognition Day calls us to remember that the cost of freedom is measured not only by those who returned home, but also by those who never did. And, especially by the families who have carried that uncertainty and loss for generations.
As a Navy chaplain, I am reminded that remembrance is deep and wide, it is a sacred responsibility to honor their sacrifice, speak their names, and ensure they are never forgotten. We remain grateful for those who served, steadfast in remembering those still missing, and committed to the enduring promise: You are not forgotten. May we all hold them and their families tightly in our prayers.”
Tim Thomas, Community Leader, Lt. Col. USA (Ret.) – “Freedom is never free. Today, on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we stand united in our promise to never stop searching for our missing heroes and to always honor those who gave everything. The fullest possible accounting of the 71,234 missing from World War II, 7,567 missing from the Korean War, and 1,565 missing from the Vietnam War, should always be our nation’s highest priority.”
Dorothy Walsh, M.S., C.P.C., Their Voice of Hope, Inc. – “Each year, we pause to honor the heroes who have never been accounted for. This remembrance offers their families renewed hope that their loved ones may one day be identified, laid to rest with dignity, and finally bring the family a measure of closure. We as Americans need to honor and remember them.”
Jonathan Lopez, USA SSG Ret, /G\ 32° A.A.S.R., RKM | E&O Tactical – “When we enlisted, we wrote a blank check to the United States Government and were shaped into the strongest military on Earth. We never forget prisoners of war. Their sacrifices, the pain they endure, and the courage they show, often without knowing what tomorrow holds, and definitely deserve our lasting respect and remembrance.”
Vincent “Kip” Mathias, USA, President, AUSA Space Coast Chapter – “Each year as we acknowledge POW/MIA Recognition Day it is our commitment to recall the sacrifices endured by those captured as POWs, their loyal perseverance to the Nation, and their families who held on to hope as well as to renew our collective memory of those who did not return home to their loved ones and our unending responsibility to locate, identify, and return their remains to their families for closure. For those who gave so much for freedom, we owe them this time to renew our commitment to them and their families.”
Gabriel Coleman, Chapter President, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Chi Sigma Chapter – “While I did not serve in the military, many of my family members and friends have. The thought of someone who served being held prisoner or remaining missing in action weighs heavily on me. I cannot speak to that experience, but I believe these service members and their families deserve our recognition, respect, and remembrance.”
PK Cannon, Retired Marine, Retired MCJROTC Instructor/Educator
Melbourne, FL – “Everyday just before 8 AM (or Zero-Eight Hundred for the military term), a motivated cadre of Palm Bay Magnet High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets enter the HQ. They dutifully retrieve the folded American Flag and the black and white POW/MIA flag. Their job – flag detail.
Both flags are raised in the air with the US Flag preceding the POW/MIA flag. You can see them both prominently displayed if you’re driving on Babcock Road or Pirate Lane in Melbourne.
These teenaged cadets are typically labeled as “Generation Z” aka “Zoomers” or the “Homeland Generation.” Catchy monikers, yes. But for me, I simply see them as young patriots. They understand their patriotic duty in bearing our National Colors and the POW/MIA flag.
The morning detail is a solemn task. They are to talk to no one while marching to the flag pole in front of the Administration Office. Why? Because they’re on a mission and the task is to be done with a sense of urgency.
The POW/MIA flag is serious to our cadets. The reverence is not only because of our local Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter’s (Chapter 1) association with Brevard Public Schools (BPS). We definitely honor the partnership. But it goes deeper than that.
Our cadets implicitly understand the sacrifices of those who’ve served and returned home.
They also have knowledge of the more than 80,000 service members who remain missing or unaccounted for during previous conflicts and battles.
So, it’s not just a flag detail that has to be done every morning before school starts. It’s a generational link between those who returned but have never forgotten their battle buddies. The missing will forever live on in memory and recognition.
The motto of the POW/MIA flag is, “You are not forgotten.” The color black represents the somber reality and mourning for those who’ve not returned. The color white displays the silhouette of a captive man. And the white guard tower depicts the harsh and brutal conditions of a POW camp.
This month as we reflect on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, please never forget them throughout the year. We don’t know all of their names. Never seen their faces. But the lineage is still alive today.
The younger generations, both Gen Z And Gen Alpha, are now standing the watch. Glance at your local high schools’ flag poles just before Zero-Eight Hundred (8 AM) every morning.
You’ll see our colors unfurled high in the sky.
No, we haven’t forgotten. And we never will.
“Bravo Zulu.””
Steve Wilson, FNLR/SCDTV – “POW/MIA; only six letters of the alphabet. However, those six letters mean more than words can say – Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. What makes our country the best in the world is those that serve to protect and defend ALL Americans. For those that are unaccounted for it is imperative that we never forget them and do everything in our power to bring them home. They deserve it, their families deserve it, and we, as Americans, should demand it. ALL Americans should be accounted for.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 27 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
Original Source: Space Coast Daily
