NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
1005 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, SUITE 170, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22201
PH (703) 465-7432 www.powmialeague.org FAX (703) 465-7433
2007 NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY*
HONOR THEIR
SERVICEÉÉ..FULFILL THEIR TRUST
September 21, 2007 will be proclaimed by President
George W. Bush as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Over the past several years, all or most of the 50 states
have proclaimed POW/MIA Recognition Day in conjunction with the national
effort. Please contact your
Governor, ask for his/her support and for a copy of your stateÕs proclamation!
Local POW/MIA ceremonies across the country are
encouraged throughout POW/MIA Recognition Week, culminating with countless
events across the country and the national ceremony in Washington, DC. Support for these missing Americans and
their families is deeply felt.
AmericaÕs POW/MIAs should be honored and recognized rather than
memorialized, with the focus on the need to account as fully as possible for
those still missing, alive or dead.
Strong, united support by the American people is crucial to achieving
concrete answers, and now is the time to start planning for this yearÕs
ceremonies. The American
people can make the difference.
Remember: Involving the state-level Department of Veterans Affairs,
plus state, district and local veterans organizations, is the key to a
successful event. Publicity must
be a priority; otherwise attendance will be minimal. To enable the League to accurately respond to media inquiries
and measure national awareness impact, please send information regarding
activities to League Communications Chairman for these activities, Gail Innes,
by email at g.innes@sbcglobal.net,
mail to her at 1360 Sandburg Terrace, Apt. 1002-C, Chicago, IL 60610, or call 312-587-8153.
For guidance: Contact your League state coordinator or check the LeagueÕs
web site: www.pow-miafamilies.org. Additional assistance can be sought
from state and local governments, military and veteran organizations, ROTC,
church groups, civic clubs, etc. A
POW/MIA awareness contact should be available at each military installation,
and invitations should be extended for military attendance and participation in
these events.
To get media coverage: Contact local and state newspapers,
magazines, military, church and school publications at least four weeks
prior to Recognition Day. Send
information packets, available from the League office, to editors, bureau
chiefs, columnists and feature editors.
If possible, contact a journalist who has written responsible
articles on the POW/MIA issue.
Write letters to the editor, outlining scheduled events and encouraging
community participation.
Advertising: Develop posters and/or flyers to advertise local activities
in the windows of area businesses.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are available from all Military
Services, major national veteran organizations, the Defense POW/MIA Office
(703) 699-1169) and the League.
Solicit donations of advertising space for League
ad slicks in local newspapers, newsletters and magazines. Should donated space not be available,
seek assistance from local businesses or veteran groups to underwrite the cost
of paid ads.
Invitations: For all events, invitations may be sent to POW/MIA families
in your area through the Service Casualty Offices (USA 800-892-2490; USN
800-443-9298; USMC 800-847-1597; USAF 800-531-5501), the CIA 703-874-4271,
State Department for missing civilians 202-647-5470, and the LeagueÕs national
office 703-465-7432. Invitations
should also be extended to area veterans organizations, local dignitaries,
civic organizations, etc. Speak to
local civic clubs, veterans groups and auxiliaries, schools and churches prior
to Recognition Day about the POW/MIA issue and plans for educational
activities. Get them involved!
Other Programs
You can also circulate Petitions to Hanoi as a group or individual
effort for Recognition Day.
Completed petitions should be sent to your congressman and/or your two
senators with a request that they be forwarded, with a cover letter, to Embassy
of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, (SRV) 1233 Twentieth Street, NW, Suite
400, Washington, DC 20036. This
serves a two-fold purpose: 1)
informing elected officials of constituent involvement; and 2) signaling Hanoi
of US Congress support.
Most states have memorials to honor POW/MIAs and
all veterans. POW/MIA Vigils (for 24 hours or for a
specific amount of time related to the number of Americans missing in your
area) are beautiful, visible displays of support for the POW/MIA issue. Vigils can include candlelight ceremonies,
reading of individual names form the state or 50 names representing one from
each of the 50 states.
Congressional involvement in such events also signals support for the
issue.
Encourage flying the LeagueÕs POW/MIA flag at the State Capitol,
city hall and other local and state government buildings. Contact fire and police departments,
schools and local businesses, requesting display of the POW/MIA flag at all
appropriate locations. Check
your local office of the U.S. Postal Service to ensure they have a flag and
plan to display it, as required by law, on at least the six days required,
if not 24/7.
Rededication ceremonies may also be held for
flags that are already on display, an ideal event to honor POW/MIAs from all
wars. To obtain POW/MIA flags,
contact the Ohio Chapter MIA-POW, Mrs. Liz Flick, 614-451-2405.
Distribute POW/MIA brochures, available from the
LeagueÕs national office, 703-465-7432.
7/27/07