September 17, 2023
Pocatello–Community members and local dignitaries gathered Friday evening at the Southeast Idaho Veterans Memorial to commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
The ceremony began with a posting of the colors by the Pocatello Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and a rendition of the National Anthem by Heather Petrella of Buglers Across America.
During the ceremony, several official documents marking the occasion were presented: POW*MIA Awareness Association Chaplain Sam Guyette read Governor Little’s proclamation; Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England read a joint proclamation issued by himself and Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad; and Senator Crapo’s regional director, Farhana Hibbert, read the senator’s remarks from the Congressional Record.
POW*MIA Awareness Association Director Yvonne “Eve” Aprato spoke briefly about the number of Americans still missing: 81,389 as of September 10, 2023. “That,” Aprato said, “is 81,389 reasons to Never Forget.”
Next, members of the POW*MIA Awareness Association presented the Missing Man Table and placed a wreath in honor of the missing. In closing, the VFW-Pocatello Honor Guard fired a gun volley. Heather Petrella played Taps before the Civil Air Patrol Cadets retired the colors.
Founded in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is marked by an annual presidential proclamation and celebrated annually on the third Friday in September. Ceremonies are held in Washington and across the nation to remember those Americans who were held in captivity as prisoners of war, as well as those who are still listed as Missing in Action.
