I would not be surprised if you have not heard of it. The news media probably doesn't think there are any stories about this day that are "current" or interesting, but I can think of at least three.
This is Bo Bergdahl. I'm not sure if you know that he is being held captive by the Taliban-supported Haqqani network in Afghanistan since June 2009.
Can you even imagine what the past three years have been like for his family? He deployed with his unit from Alaska. When we lived there, I had a job working in a Rec Center for soldiers who live in the barracks. Bo was a customer and I knew him. I pray for him and his family every day.
This is a photo of Scott Speicher. He was a US Navy pilot shot down over Iraq during the first Gulf War in January of 1991. His fate wasn't known until his remains were discovered in 2009. For quite some time, it was believed he was being held by Saddam, but luckily it appeared that he didn't survive the crash of his jet. (Luck = No torture) I prayed for his family often in those 18 years. Can you image how his family suffered for those 18 years? Eighteen??!!!
This is Charles Lane, Jr. He was shot down over North Vietnam on August 23, 1967.
For the past 45 years, he has been Missing in Action (though declared dead). JPAC (the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) has been investigating his fate. The crash site was discovered in a remote location in North Vietnam in the early 90s. He too, is believed to not have survived the crash. Twice they have gone to excavate the scene and search for remains. They have never located any.
I never met him. I was a month and two days old when he was shot down--he had already gone overseas before I was born.
He was my father.
Please take a few minutes today to think about some of these people--especially Bo Bergdahl--and say a prayer if you are so inclined.
JoAnne
Thank you for spreading the information about these brave men. I choked up when I scrolled down and read the words "He was my father". I will say a prayer for all of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful post. You are correct that I've never heard of this special day, but I am going to send a link to this post to several friends. God Bless each MIA/POW hero and their families.
ReplyDeleteJoAnne, I'm so sorry for your family's loss, and all the years of not knowing what happened. And you're right, I've not heard of this recognition day, and have not seen any news bites about it, either. Our true heroes are easily put aside for the nonsense they call news now. Thanks for posting this, and my prayers are with you, Bo Bergdahl and his family.
ReplyDeleteNancy directed me here, and I'm so glad she did. What a great post today. My heart goes out to all families that deal with such heartbreak and loss. Prayers of love and healing go out to these dear hearts.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry; I have no other words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this day, thank you for taking the time to write this post, I'm sure it wasn't an easy thing for you. I get to vote this year for the first time, I'm a new citizen as of 11/2011. Trying to get a grasp on how some states seem to have "more influence", but none the less, I shall mark my ballot with pride this Nov. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this important day to our attention!! I will offer prayers for all our MIA/POW soliders. As a 7th grader my girlfriend and I sent away for POW bracelets...that would have been 1967 or so. We wore them faithfully for years!! Special prayers for you and your family!!
ReplyDeletechris
Thank you for sharing this. You have such a talented way of putting words together. Blessings to your family and so many others.
ReplyDelete