by Leah Justice

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Sept. 8 and approved two resolutions and a proclamation honoring veterans and remembering Sept. 11, 2001.

Commissioners approved a resolution in honor of September being military suicide awareness month, a resolution in remembrance of today being the 13th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 and a proclamation in recognition of POW/MIA recognition day.

Representatives from the Polk County Memorial VFW Post #9116 and the Ladies Auxiliary attended the meeting and presented the resolutions and proclamations.

The board’s resolution regarding the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 states that commissioners are in support of the U.S. Senate regarding the coming together as a nation and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, Sept. 11 in honor of the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States.

“Whereas, four civilian aircraft were hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001, and deliberately crashed in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 innocent lives,” states the county’s resolution; “and whereas, countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, government officials, civilian workers, emergency medical personnel and volunteers responded immediately and heroically to these horrific events, many suffering fatalities in their rescue efforts.”

Commissioners said they join the Polk County Memorial VFW Post #9116 and Ladies Auxiliary, their fellow Americans and people around the world in remembrance of the victims of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and their thoughts are with the families of those left behind.

September is also military suicide awareness month. From Jan. 1, 2013 through Dec. 31, 2013, there were 289 active duty suicides, which were 65 less than those killed in action in Afghanistan during the same period.

Veteran’s Affairs estimates that a veteran commits suicide every 66 minutes, adding up to 8,030 suicides a year.

Commissioners also proclaimed the month of September and Sept. 19 specifically as Polk County POW/MIA recognition day.

On Sept. 19 the stark black and white banner symbolizing America’s Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the Polk County Courthouse, the Polk County Veterans Brick Memorial, United States Post Offices and other locations throughout the county.

“We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our nation,” states the county’s proclamation.

The proclamation begins by saying, “In every conflict in which our nation has been involved, selfless American service members have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our country and its principles. Too many have never come home, or have endured unthinkable hardships as prisoners of war. During this month and on this day, we echo the creed inscribed on the black and white banners that fly in honor of America’s Prisoners of War and Missing and Action, and we renew our promise to our heroes that, ‘You are not forgotten.’”