WHEREAS, Congress passed legislation in 1978 designating July 18, 1979, as the first National Prisoners of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day, and the observance has since been recognized annually on the third Friday of September; and

 

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of Americans remain unaccounted for from World War II, thousands from the Korean War, more than a thousand from the Vietnam War, and others from the Cold War and more recent conflicts; and

 

WHEREAS, the Virginia War Memorial maintains a comprehensive list of more than 1,300 Virginians who remain unaccounted for from conflicts since World War II, honoring their memory and ensuring that their stories are told and remembered; and

 

WHEREAS, the search for unaccounted-for service members continues, exemplified by the recent identification of Sergeant First Class Irvin Thomas Crews of Virginia, whose remains were identified on February 2, 2026, after he had been missing since the Korean War; and

 

WHEREAS, we remember the incredible sacrifice of prisoners of war and those missing in action, who served and sacrificed in defense of our freedoms and in support of peace and security around the world; and

 

WHEREAS, Virginia's dedication to remembering these heroes is reflected in programs, educational initiatives, and public ceremonies held throughout the year to honor their legacy and educate the public about their service and sacrifice;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize September 18, 2026, as PRISONER OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION RECOGNITION DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.