COLUMBUS – Polk County proclaimed the month of September and day of Sept. 15 as POW/MIA Day (prisoners of war/missing in action) in the county.

 

Commissioners met Tuesday, Sept. 5 and approved a proclamation in support of the recognition.

 

On Friday, Sept. 15, the black and white banner symbolizing the United State’s Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the Polk County Courthouse at the Veterans Brick Memorial and U.S. Post Offices, as well as other locations across the county.

 

Following is the proclamation commissioners approved last week:

 

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 hardship 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 in Action, and we renew our promise to our heroes, that “You Are Not Forgotten.”

We will never give up the search for those who are held as prisoners of war or have gone missing under our country’s flag. We honor their sacrifice, and we must care for their families and pursue the fullest possible accounting for all missing members of our Armed Forces. Together, we must serve our Nation’s patriots as well as they have served us by supporting them when they come home, and by carrying on the legacy of those who do not. This is a promise we keep for our fallen, for our veterans past and present, and for all those whose loved ones have not returned from the battlefield.

On 15 September, 2017, the stark black and white banner symbolizing America’s Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the Polk County Court House, in Columbus, NC, the County Seat, the Polk County Veterans Brick Memorial, United States post offices, and other locations across our County. We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Polk County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim September 2017 as Polk County POW/MIA Month, and the 15^th of September 2017, as Polk County POW/MIA Recognition Day, and we urge all Polk County citizens to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.