Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day and the public is invited to a program at the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial in honor of military members who are still classified as unaccounted for -   either missing in action or prisoners of war.  Records put that number at more than 83,000.  Today’s event is scheduled to begin at 5:30.  It was organized by the area POW/MIA Riders Association.

According to the Association:

On March 9 1989 the POW/MIA Flag

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, which flew over the White House on National POW./MIA Day in 1988, was installed in the U.S. Capital Rotunda. This is the only Flag ever displayed in the Rotunda and the only flag, other than the U.S. Flag to fly over the White House.

On August 10 1990 Congress passed the law recognizing the POW/MIA Flag and designating it as a symbol of our Nation’s commitment for our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

In the dining halls of the U.S. Armed Forces a single table and chair with the POW/MIA Flag draped over the chair will be displayed as a symbol for the missing and hopes for their return.” You Are Not Forgotten” is on every POW/MIA Flag and today's program helps to fulfill that pledge.

Total unaccounted from past conflicts:

WW II                73,661

Korean War         7,909

Cold War               126

Vietnam War       1,645

Iraq and others           6

Total                   83,347

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