National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2024

Proclamation 10814 of September 19, 2024

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2024

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout history, America's service members have
risked everything to keep the light of liberty shining
bright. Today, more than 81,000 of these brave men and
women remain missing and unaccounted for around the
world. They will never be forgotten, and their courage,
service, and sacrifice will always be cherished by our
grateful Nation. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day,
we honor all those missing and unaccounted for. We
recommit to bringing them home, no matter how long it
takes. And we express our ironclad support for their
families.

The POW/MIA flag is displayed in its rightful place
above the White House--the People's House. The flag
serves as a reminder to all Americans that we are the
fortunate heirs of the legacy that they--our Nation's
unreturned heroes--helped to forge. These service
members gave all, risked all, and dared all to protect
our freedom. Just as they kept faith in our Nation, we
must keep faith with them. My Administration will never
forget our obligation to these patriots and their
families. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never
fully repay.

For those with family members who are missing and
unaccounted for, I know that the not knowing weighs on
your hearts, amid the grieving, remembering, and
cherishing of your loved ones. My Administration sees
you, stands with you, and will never forget our sacred
obligation to care for you.

During National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we recognize
the absolute bravery of our Nation's service members
who are missing and unaccounted for, and we recommit to
bringing them home. We offer our gratitude and
steadfast support for their families, who have given so
much to our Nation. We also honor the service and
sacrifice of former prisoners of war. And we remember
that the truest testimonial to their sacrifice is doing
our part to ensure that our democracy and the soul of
our Nation endure.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of
the United States, do hereby proclaim September 20,
2024, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Let all who
read this know that America remains grateful to our
heroes held in the worst imaginable conditions as
prisoners of war. Additionally, I encourage my fellow
citizens across the Nation to reflect on today and let
us not forget those heroes who never returned home from
the battlefields around the world or their families who
are still waiting for answers. I call upon Federal,
State, and local government officials and private
organizations to observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
ninth.