AA Honors Veterans On National POW/MIA Recognition Day
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - American Airlines and American Eagle honored current and former employees on National POW/MIA Recognition Day Friday. Every year, on the third Friday of each September, military installations, ships and veterans' families take a moment to recognize those who have been prisoners of war or are still missing in action.
It was an emotional day of remembrance for those who were present; including 15 former or current American employees who are known POW/MIA.
There are still more than 83,000 American troops missing in action today, according to the Department of Defense Prisoner of War - Missing Personnel Office. That includes 73,681 from World War II; 7,947 from the Korean War; 126 during the Cold War; 1,657 from the Vietnam War; and six from Iraq and other conflicts.
The Veteran Military Employee Resource Group (VMERG) honored veterans with a Patriot Guard motorcade and the NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base Joint Service Color Guard presented during the ceremony. Guests were entertained by a special appearance of an iconic Huey helicopter and were taught about the symbolic message of the Fallen Comrade Table. It's military etiquette to honor service members who have fallen in the line of duty by setting aside a special table for them at functions such as the one that took place at the CR Smith Museum. Each element on the table symbolizes something specific.
Many Americans across the United States paused to remember the sacrifices and service of prisoners of was as well as those who are missing in action 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 took place in many states across the nation. United States flags and POW/MIA flags were flown and joint prayers are made for POWs and those missing in action. Remembrance ceremonies and other events to observe the day were also held in places such as the Pentagon, war memorials and museums.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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