WHEREAS, throughout American history, generations of military servicemen and women have embodied devotion and patriotism by sacrificing their own personal safety to protect our country, our people, and our freedom; and
WHEREAS, too many of these brave patriots were either captured in conflict and imprisoned by an enemy, or went missing in action, and have never returned home; and
WHEREAS, the families and friends of those missing still suffer from the lack of certainty regarding the fates of their loved ones and carry their memories forward with hope; and
WHEREAS, it is our nation’s duty to be observant and remain mindful of the sacrifices made by American POWs and MIA personnel, and to remember the family members they have left behind who have endured the pain of uncertainty and loss; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska supports and shares our nation’s pledge to account as fully as possible for Americans still missing and unaccounted for from our nation’s past military conflicts, and calls on the President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense to consistently help account for and return our missing and unaccounted for personnel to the United States; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of our Armed Forces face unbelievable conditions and bear the painful price of war. We are forever indebted to the courageous individuals who sacrifice their lives and are a true testament of patriotism and love of country.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 18, 2020 as:
POW/MIA Recognition Day
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to honor and recognize those who were prisoners of war, those still missing in action, and to keep in our thoughts their loved ones, and I direct all State agencies in possession of a POW/MIA flag to proudly fly the POW/MIA flag on September 18, 2020.
