POW/MIA Recognition Day

A formation of Airmen wrapped-up a series of events Sept. 18, 2009 with a "ruck sack" march around the flightline of Aviano Air Base, Italy. A joint U.S.-Italian Air Forces POW/MIA retreat ceremony immediately followed the approximate six-mile march around the base's flightline area and ended outside the ITAF Headquarter Building where the retreat ceremony was held. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mercedes Crossland)

Aviano Air Base holds POW/MIA Recognition Day

Published Sept. 23, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- A U.S.-Italian Air Forces joint retreat ceremony and an approximate six-mile 'ruck sack' march held here Sept. 18, 2009, wrapped up a series of POW/MIA events held throughout the week reminding the base of those who have sacrificed so much for their country.

Observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans' facilities each year.

This observance is one of six days throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. The flag is to be flown at major military installations, national cemeteries, all post offices, VA medical facilities, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the official offices of the secretaries of state, defense and veterans affairs, the director of the selective service system and the White House.