03/08/2026
Joel was a huge advocate and supporter of veterans. Often volunteering many hours to support them at different events.
Here is some information you may not know. Also when saying this it is said as letters not words P-O-W-M-I-A.
Remembering POW/MIA: Honoring Those Who Never Came Home 🇺🇸
POW/MIA stands for Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA). These terms represent members of the United States Armed Forces who were captured during combat or whose whereabouts were never confirmed after a battle or military operation.
A Prisoner of War (POW) is a service member who was captured and held by enemy forces during wartime. While several POWs eventually returned home, their captivity often involved extreme hardship, uncertainty, and sacrifice.
A Missing in Action (MIA) service member is someone who went missing during combat or military operations and whose fate remains unknown. In some cases, remains are later recovered and identified. In others, families and the nation continue to wait for answers.
The POW/MIA designation is more than a military term—it represents a promise made by the United States to never forget those who served and never returned. Across the country, you may see the POW/MIA flag, a black and white flag bearing the words “You Are Not Forgotten.” It flies at military installations, government buildings, and memorials as a symbol of remembrance and commitment.
Organizations such as the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPPA) continue the mission of locating, recovering, and identifying missing service members from conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recent operations.
For families of the missing, the POW/MIA designation represents both honor and hope—honor for their loved one’s service and hope that one day answers will be found.
When we see the POW/MIA flag, attend a remembrance ceremony, or pause in reflection, we are reminded of a solemn national duty: to remember the sacrifice of those who served and ensure they are never forgotten. 🇺🇸