POW/MIA

The third Friday of September is set aside as POW/MIA recognition day.  The Rochester chapter of the POW/MIA riders held a ceremony at the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial to remember our heroes that never came home.  Competing with football games is tough, but a crowd of about 50 gathered on a chilly evening at seven as the sun was setting, it seemed fitting for the topic at hand.

It was a nice ceremony filled with emotion.  Colors posted, pledge of allegiance, prayer, explaination of the POW/MIA table for one and a speaker who spoke of never forgetting the over 83,000 men and women from the wars in the last century that are still considered as POW/MIA.  That is almost the size of a Rochester!  "We will never forget, we must never forget."

It made me think of how thankful I am that I was not one of the families that never knew what happened to their loved ones.  Curtis came home.  As difficult as it is to have lost him, I know what his fate was.  I know he did not suffer.  How horrible to never know where your child may have suffered and died, if in fact they came to that fate, are they still living?  Not having the opportunity to bury them would be more heart wrenching. 

Although the date has passed, I hope that everyone notes this date for next year.  It's OK to go to the football game, it is those freedoms that these men and women fought for.   Just take the time to say a prayer for them and their families.  Pray for their return, pray for the family to have some peace and closure.

We must never forget, we will never forget.