Recognizing those who never came home

Last Updated on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 09:38 am Written by Suzanne Marino Tuesday, September 25, 2012 09:01 am

NORTHFIELD—In honor of the soldiers who have never made it back home the third Friday in September was declared POW MIA Day and at the Northfield Community School it became another teaching moment. Middle School students filed into the bleachers and listened quietly as seventh grade teacher Mary Ann Devine explained the significance of honoring the prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

Robert Buness, Post Commander of the Harvey Johnson VFW #295 of Northfield presented a POW MIA flag to Devine and the Northfield Community School in recognition for their ongoing programming that brings local veterans into the school.

In May 1970, a group called the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia formed made up of families of soldiers who were listed as prisoners of war, missing in action, killed in action and their body not recovered and returned from the Vietnam War.  This group was the reason for the POW MIA Flag, recognition day, and ceremonies around the country. The first commemorative service was held in 1979.

The wife of one soldier missing approached a flag maker to come up with a flag representative of the POW’s and those still missing in action. By the mid 1980’s April 9 was chosen as a recognition day for the POW/MIA; chosen because during WWII it was the day the single most prisoners of war were captured. In 1986 the third Friday in September was chosen as the official POW MIA Recognition Day and the black flag flies over the White House that day just beneath the stars and stripes.

Devine explained the symbolism incorporated into the flag. “The Flag is black and white, stark and precise colors that show the true and undeniable fact the American men and women are still missing.  The profile of the prisoner shows he is bent in sorrow, not defeat. He faces to his right, towards his homeland, America, in the continuing belief that he has not been forgotten.  He waits, enduring the indignity of captivity for the day when the freedom that he fought for will be returned to him. In the background, a guard watches the prisoner, distant and apart from the POW – both in body and spirit, because the guard does not care. Barbed wire separates them, just as the love of freedom, separates us from those, who would take away freedom. There is a partial wreath, about the POW. The wreath is the symbol of the hero and the victor. Yet it is only a partial wreath, because he is not home, where he can receive the full honors, he is entitled to as a true and brave warrior,” the teacher explained to the students and dignitaries gathered.

After taps were played by eighth grade students Mark Giantonio and Brandon Kintish the students headed outside to see the POW MIA flag raised for the first time in the NCS courtyard.