A day to recognize prisoners of war, those missing in action

A ceremony Friday will commemorate and honor those who were prisoners of war and are missing in action.

President George W. Bush has proclaimed Sept. 21, 2007, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

The Carson City ceremony will be 10 a.m. to noon at the Nevada Veterans Memorial Wall behind the Capitol.

The number of persons - military and civilian - still missing from various military action is staggering.

According to the Department of Defense, there are more than 88,000 still unaccounted for. Over the past several years, most of the 50 states have proclaimed POW/MIA Recognition Day in conjunction with the national effort.

During Friday's ceremony, the Carson High School Naval Junior ROTC Color Guard will present the U.S. flag and Gov. Jim Gibbons and Mayor Marv Teixeira will present proclamations.

"We in the Marine Corps sincerely believe to never leave comrades behind," said Terry Hubert, president of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 388 in Carson City, who was a "grunt" in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968-70 and served in Vietnam.

Hubert welcomes the public to the ceremony, which he said is not about the war in Iraq.

"This is just for recognition of our commitment to troops in our past," Hubert said. "A time to take a moment to remember and recognize the POWs and MIAs."

"These days it's our sons and daughters are in the war, and we try to remain nonpolitical about it."

Hubert said there are continuing efforts of veterans on a national level to continue recovery of those still missing in Vietnam.

The Carson City chapter has members from Fernley, Gardnerville and Carson City and will be joined by Reno's newly formed Chapter 989 Friday, along with members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association and the Marine Corps League.

The ceremony includes a presentation by the Carson High School NJROTC under Commander Skip Canady and Sgt. Maj. Wayne Baker. For information, call 687-4632.

• Contact reporter Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

If you go

WHAT: POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony

WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon Friday

WHERE: Nevada Veterans Memorial Wall, between State Capitol and Legislative Plaza

CALL: 687-4632