Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency 

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

September 15, 2023

Tool Kit

CONTENTS

POW/MIA Recognition Day Fact Sheet Page 2

POW/MIA Flag History and Display Rules Pages 3‐4

POW/MIA Missing Man Honors Table Pages 5‐6

Sample News Release Page 7

Sample Social Media Posts Page 8

Sample Speech Page 9
National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Since the American Revolution, people fighting to secure the freedom of the United States have 

at some points in time been held as prisoners of war (POWs).

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by 

President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual 

proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition 

Day. In 1997, a law was enacted that further strengthened the importance of the day by officially 

designating it as one of the six days per year that the POW/MIA flag is required to be flown at 

designated federal government locations.

A national-level ceremony is held on every National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Traditionally 

held at the Pentagon, it features members from each branch of military service and participation 

from high-ranking officials.

In addition to the national-level ceremony, observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day 

are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and 

veterans' facilities.

No matter where they are held, these National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies share 

the common purpose of honoring those who were held captive and returned, as well as those 

who remain missing.

www.dpaa.mil
POW/MIA Flag History and Display Rules

The official U.S. POW/MIA flag resulted from the efforts of family members to display a 

suitable symbol that made the public aware of their loved ones who were being held prisoner or 

declared missing during the Vietnam War.

In 1970, Mrs. Michael Hoff, the wife of a service member declared MIA and a member of the 

National League of POW/MIA Families, recognized the need for a symbol honoring.

POW/MIAs. Prompted by an article in a Florida newspaper, Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman 

Rivkees, Vice President of Annin & Company. The article stated that the company had made a 

banner for the newest member of the United Nations, the People’s Republic of China, as part of 

their policy to provide flags of all United Nations member states. Mrs. Hoff found Mr. Rivkees 

very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue. He and an Annin advertising agency employee, Newt 

Heisley, designed a flag to represent our missing men.

In January 1972, the League of Families Board of Directors approved the design of the flag and 

ordered some for distribution. Wanting the widest possible dissemination and use of this symbol 

to advocate for improved treatment for and answers on American POW/MIAs, no trademark or 

copyright was sought. As a result, widespread use of the League’s POW/MIA flag is not 

restricted legally.

The flag was flown over the White House for the first time in September 1982, making it the 

only flag other than the U.S. flag to be displayed there.

On March 9, 1989, an official League flag – flown over the White House on National POW/ MIA 

Recognition Day 1988 – was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed 

overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress.

On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed US Public Law 101-355, which recognized the 

League’s POW/MIA flag and designated it “the symbol of our Nation’s concern and 

commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and 

unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the 

Nation.”

The 105th Congress passed the 1998 Defense Authorization Act requiring that the POW/MIA 

flag fly six days each year over specific federal locations. Those days included Armed Forces 

Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Day, and Veterans Day.
In 2019, the National POW/MIA Flag Act was signed into law, requiring the POW/MIA flag to 

be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, 

including the White House, U.S. Capitol, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans 

Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the 

official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, office of the Director 

of the Selective Service System, each major military installation, each Department of Veterans 

Affairs medical center, and each U.S. Postal Service post office.

Most state and local governments across the nation have adopted similar laws.

Display rules

When displayed from a single flagpole, the POW/MIA flag should fly directly below, and be 

no larger than, the United States flag.

If on separate poles, the U.S. flag should always be placed to the right of other flags. On the six 

national observances for which Congress has ordered display of the POW/ MIA flag, it is 

generally flown immediately below or adjacent to the United States flag as second in order of 

precedence.

www.dpaa.mil
POW/MIA Missing Man Honors Table

This POW/MIA Missing Man Table ceremony is a dignified and solemn moment in 

many formal dinners and other occasions.

There have been many variations on the narrative for the ceremony, but the 

symbolism is quite constant.

It involves a table, usually set off to the side, with a single chair.

The table is set with a white tablecloth, a single candle, a book of faith (optional) an 

inverted glass, and a single red rose in a vase, around which is tied a yellow ribbon.

Set at the table is a plate containing a slice of lemon, and a small amount of salt.

There is nothing more poignant than witnessing the empty chair or chairs placed at a 

POW/MIA Honors Table with incredible significance for every displayed symbol.

Witnessing the ceremony that accompanies this memorable event brings more than 

just a single emotion.

The ceremony is performed many times, throughout the year, at official military 

events in remembrance and in honor of all POW/MIAs.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

MISSING MAN HONORS TABLE CEREMONY SCRIPT

(Performed by Honor Guard).

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

PLEASE DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION

TO THE CENTER OF THE GATHERING.

AS YOU ENTERED THE ROOM, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED A SPECIAL TABLE – IT IS 

RESERVED TO HONOR OUR MISSING MEN (OR MISSING COMRADES IN ARMS, FOR 

VETERANS).

I WILL EXPLAIN.

SET FOR SIX, THE EMPTY PLACES REPRESENT AMERICANS WHO WERE OR ARE 

MISSING FROM EACH OF THE SERVICES – ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, AIR 

FORCE, COAST GUARD – AND CIVILIANS. THIS HONORS CEREMONY SYMBOLIZES 

THAT THEY ARE WITH US, IN SPIRIT.

SOME (HERE) IN THIS ROOM WERE VERY YOUNG WHEN THEY WENT INTO 

COMBAT; HOWEVER, ALL AMERICANS SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE BRAVE MEN 

AND WOMEN WHO ANSWERED OUR NATION’S CALL AND SERVED THE CAUSE OF 

FREEDOM IN A SPECIAL WAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO STAND, AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF 

SILENT PRAYER, AS THE HONOR GUARD PLACES THE FIVE SERVICE COVERS AND A 

CIVILIAN CAP ON EACH EMPLTY PLATE.
<IN SILENCE OR WITH DIGNIFIED, QUIET MUSIC AS BACKGROUND, THE HONOR 

GUARD MOVES INTO POSITION AROUND THE TABLE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PLACES 

THE COVERS OF THE ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD AND A 

CIVILIAN CAP, ON THE DINNER PLATE AS EACH TABLE SETTING. THE HONOR GUARD 

THEN DEPARTS.>

PLEASE BE SEATED. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE ITEMS 

ON THIS SPECIAL TABLE.

THE TABLE IS ROUND – TO SHOW OUR EVERLASTING CONCERN.

THE TABLECLOTH IS WHITE, SYMBOLIZING THE PURITY OF THEIR MOTIVES WHEN 

ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVE.

THE SINGLE RED ROSE REMINDS US OF THE LIVES OF THESE AMERICANS...AND 

THE LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS WHO KEEP THE FAITH, AWAITING ANSWERS.

THE YELLOW RIBBON SYMBOLIZES OUR CONTINUED UNCERTAINY, HOPE FOR 

THEIR RETURN AND DETERMINATION TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM.

A SLICE OF LEMON REMINDS US OF THEIR BITTER FATE, CAPTURED OR MISSING IN 

A FOREIGN LAND.

A PINCH OF SALT SYMBOLIZES THE TEARS OF OUR MISSING AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE LIGHTED CANDLE REFLECTS OUR HOPE FOR THEIR RETURN.

(OPTIONAL) THE BOUND TEXT IS A BOOK OF FAITH TO REPRESENT THE STRENGTH 

GAINED THROUGH DEVOTION TO SUSTAIN THOSE LOST FROM OUR COUNTRY.

THE GLASSES ARE INVERTED - TO SYMBOLIZE THEIR INABILITY TO SHARE A 

TOAST.

THE CHAIRS ARE/CHAIR IS EMPTY – THEY ARE MISSING (MOMENT OF SILENCE)

LET US NOW RAISE OUR GLASSES OF WATER IN A TOAST TO HONOR AMERICA’S 

POW/MIAs, TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM, AND TO 

THE SAFETY OF ALL NOW SERVING OUR NATION!

NOTE: The number of personnel can be varied from one to six. The ceremony can be altered as to 

the number of hats and personnel. You can place the hats as the latter part of the script is read. And 

invert the glasses as the script mentions it.

###
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (Your name.) 

Date: (Of the release.)

Phone: (Your contact phone number where you can be reached.)

(Installation or organization name) Commemorates POW/MIA Recognition Day.

(Installation or organization name) will recognize POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 

16, 2022, at (time) to honor those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who 

remain missing from past conflicts.

The following event(s) will take place: (list the events that will take place on your installation or 

by your organization.)

For more information on the National POW/MIA Recognition Day event(s), call (your name/ 

organization) at (phone number) or visit our website or social media platforms (list web address, 

social media platforms, etc.)

For the first time in three years, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will host a 

National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the 

Pacific at 10 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2022. People are more than welcome to attend the event in person 

or watch the ceremony via livestream. The livestream links are below:

For more information about efforts to account for more than 81,500 Americans still missing 

from past conflicts, visit www.dpaa.mil.

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POW/MIA Recognition Day Sample Social Media Posts

Here are some sample Facebook posts that you and your organization can adapt to suit your 

communication needs:

Prior to September 15: Come join us on Sept. 15 as we recognize National POW/MIA 

Recognition Day at BLANK. The program is dedicated to remembering and honor those who 

were prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. Go to our website for more 

information. (link to the website)

Early on September 15 (with an image of a POW/MIA flag): “As you go about your day, keep 

an eye out for POW/MIA flags. Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. When you see 

one, take a moment to remember those who served our country and have yet to come home.”

For the first time in three years, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will host a National 

POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at 10 

a.m. on Sept. 15, 2023. People are more than welcome to attend the event in person or watch 

the ceremony via livestream. The livestream links are below:

During the day on September 15

(With an image of a POW/MIA flag): “What’s with all of the POW/MIA flags out today? Today is 

National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The observance is to honor and recognize the sacrifices of 

those Americans who have been prisoners of war and to remind the Nation of those who are still 

missing in action.”

“National POW/MIA Recognition Day reminds us of them and the tens of thousands of others 

missing from World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, the Vietnam War and other designated 

conflicts. We will not forget these patriots who were willing to give their all to preserve and 

protect our freedoms. Nor will we forget their families who have kept the faith and pursued 

answered these many years.”

“Our global efforts to obtain the fullest possible accounting of those still missing and to relieve the 

acute grieving and prolonged uncertainty of their families are a manifestation of this nation’s 

solemn obligation that these Americans will never be forgotten.”

Join us today at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at 10 a.m. as we remember and 

honor those who are prisoners of war and those who are missing in action during the National 

POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony. Links to watch the ceremony via livestream are below:

Here are some sample Tweets:

“Today is the 3rd Friday in September. Know why it’s special? National POW/MIA Recognition 

Day. You are not forgotten.”

“More than 81,500 Americans are still missing from past conflicts. Remember them and their 

families today on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.”
(Sample Speech) 

POW/MIA Recognition Day

We gather here together today to recognize our nation’s former prisoners of war and those still 

missing.

(If former POWs family members are present)

We’re honored to be joined today by former POWs, individuals who endured captivity 

courageously and honorably during (fill in wars/conflicts represented). (Recognize each former 

POW by name and tell a little about them.)

(If family members of former POWs or MIA personnel are present)

And we’re also privileged to be joined by family members of those still missing and former 

POWs. (Recognize the families represented and mention the name of their loved one who was a 

POW or is still missing.)

And to all the families here today – whether you’ve been reunited or are still waiting for your 

loved one – thank you for your patriotism and courage in the face of uncertainty. We appreciate 

all you’ve given to this country.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established by Congress in Section 1082 of the 1998 

Defense Authorization Act.

Since then, organizations such as ours have conducted events like this one to formally 

recognize those who gave an extra measure to protect our great nation.

Last year, the National POW/MIA Flag Act was signed into law, requiring the flag to be flown 

wherever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the White 

House, U.S. Capitol, War Memorials, every national cemetery, military base and more.

This legislation reaffirms our country’s commitment to our missing and ensures that the words 

emblazoned on the flag continue to communicate a clear message of our unwavering support 

and commitment to our nation's heroes and their families. That message is this: you are not 

forgotten.

Private citizens, organizations and businesses are free to display the POW/MIA flag whenever 

they wish. Many, like our organization, choose to fly this flag every single day.

We do it to respect and honor those who have been held in captivity and returned, as well as 

those who have yet to come home from past conflicts around the globe.

Today, at the Pentagon, and in many other locations around the world, a ceremony similar to 

this one will be held. By being here today, you and I are part of a global effort to bring 

recognition to this noble mission and to remind the families of this special category of brave 

patriots that they are truly not forgotten.

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