POW/MIA Recognition Day

Elks Club, Vets Group Ask Bay Area Residents to Mark POW/MIA Day on Friday, Sept. 16

The San Rafael Elks Lodge and North Bay nonprofit Veterans Housing & Services are asking Bay Area residents to set a place at their tables to mark national POW/MIA Recognition Day, which takes place this Friday, Sept. 16.
A Congressional Resolution passed in 1979 set the third Friday of September as POW/MIA Recognition Day to remember the nation’s soldiers who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those listed as missing in action (MIAs). Since WWII, the US Dept. of Defense puts the total number of MIAs at 87,000 and POWs at 142,000 – 17,000 of whom died while interned.

“We hope others will join us in paying tribute to these remarkable men and women and their loved ones who suffered and sacrificed so much – even death – in service to our country,” says Travis Jones, head of Elks Lodge #1108 of San Rafael in Marin County.

The traditional POW/MIA Day("Missing Soldier") table setting includes a small round table covered with a white tablecloth, dishes and silverware, black napkin, single red rose, yellow candle and yellow ribbon, salt and slices of lemon on a bread plate, a wine glass turned upside down and empty chair reminding us that these soldiers cannot be with us today. A small American flag and a POW/MIA Flag – available on the internet – complete the honorary seat at the table.

The Elks organization was founded in 1868, and today has more than 2,000 lodges nationwide. With its mission to promote charity, justice, brotherly love, fidelity, and patriotism, Elks support numerous causes including active military members and veterans. For more information, see www.elks1108.org.