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There are 2 MIA and POW soldiers still from Polk County

COLUMBUS—The Polk County Board of Commissioners remembered the 81,900 missing in action and prisoners of war this week, including 2 still missing from Polk County. 

Commissioners met Monday and proclaimed September as MIA/POW month and Sept. 17 as MIA/POW Day in Polk County. 

Commissioners met with the VFW Post 9116. Joyce Preston, with the women’s auxiliary read the MIA/POW proclamation. She said the 2 missing soldiers from Polk County were both in the U.S. Army. 

Following is the proclamation commissioners unanimously approved on Monday: 

Proclamation for POW/MIA recognition day

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. Yet, unfortunately, 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, our veterans past and present, and for all those whose loved ones have not returned from the battlefield.

On September 17, 2021, 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 we, the Board of Commissioners of Polk

County, support the request of Polk County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars &

Auxiliary Post #9116 and hereby proclaim September 2021 as Polk County POW/MIA Month, and September 17, 2021, 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.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this seventh day of September 2021.