Bates

When was the last time you thought of those who were prisoners of war or those who are still missing in action?

Can you imagine what it was like being a prisoner? Have you contemplated the lack of closure the families of the missing experience?

Years ago, hundreds of thousands wore POW/MIA bracelets with the name and capture date of our imprisoned military members. Today, we rarely talk about our soldiers who were prisoners of war and those who are missing in action.

We need more memorials and remembrances so our citizens do not forget the sacrifices of our heroes and their families. These memorials and remembrances cause our children and grandchildren to ask questions and develop an understanding. Our future generations need to understand the cost of the wars that have been fought.

Most of us are unaware that more than 700 Oregonians were prisoners of war during World War I and World War II. Of that number, 112 were civilians. Almost 200 Oregonians died in captivity since World War I, with 18 of those dying in Korea and three in Vietnam.

Nearly 1,000 Oregonians are still missing in action from World War I through the Vietnam War. There are 21 World War I MIAs from Oregon, 886 from World War II, 56 from the Korean War, two during the Cold War and 34 from the Vietnam War. Almost 1,000 Oregon families have been unable to give their loved one an appropriate burial.

In 1979, to honor and remember the missing and prisoners of war, Congress and the president proclaimed the third Friday of every September as POW-MIA Recognition Day with the following statement: “The point of POW/MIA Recognition Day is to ensure that America remembers and shows that it stands behind those who serve, and to make sure the nation does everything it can to account for those who have never returned.”

Currently, to remind us of the sacrifices of these American heroes and their families, most public facilities are now flying the POW-MIA flag under the Stars and Stripes.

In 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill declaring Highway 26 the POW-MIA Memorial Highway from border to border. The governor signed the legislation into law on Sept. 16, 2019, and the law became effective Jan 1. On Friday, Sept. 18, this year’s POW-MIA Recognition Day, POW-MIA Memorial Highway signs will be dedicated and installed on Highway 26 near the communities of Seaside, Boring, Madras, Prineville, John Day and Vale.

These signs on Highway 26 will help us all remember and cause our children to ask questions. A group of dedicated Oregonians is working to make sure that our Vietnam War veterans are remembered with a Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon Capitol grounds.

The proposed design of the Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon Capitol grounds also includes a tribute to our prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.

You can honor and remember our heroes with a contribution to the Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon Capitol grounds. Contributions by check can be mailed to: Vietnam War Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1448, Boring, Ore., 97009. Credit card donations can be made at www.vietnamwarmemorialfund.org.

Join us in remembering our Prisoners of War and Missing In Action, especially on Sept. 18, POW-MIA Recognition Day.

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