Submitted report
McALESTER —
The American Legion and Legion Auxiliary will host a POW/MIA ceremony at the Holmes-Collins Post No. 242 today at 7 p.m.
The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war and those who are missing in action, as well as their families.
Congress passed a resolution authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day’s observance in 1979. The United States president each year proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many states in the USA also proclaim POW/MIA Recognition Day together with the national effort.
As of April 2009, there are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control, according to the National League of Families website.
In Coalgate alone, there are at least four families to be honored on this day in memory of Bill Souls, Glen Page, Ray Williams and Woodrow Gwinn.
Family members of a Prisoner of War or soldier who was declared Missing In Action who would like their soldier to be honored at the ceremony can contact Commander Chris Bradley at 580-258-8818 or Auxiliary President Jacki Washington at 580-364-4650.
