7.15.2004
2004 POW/MIA Poster On Line

"As the poster is unveiled, you will see the flag
of freedom -- the American flag -- flying proudly. Its presence underscores our
commitment, our pledge -- our solemn pledge -- to account for our missing
wherever it takes us."

That's what Jerry D. Jennings, deputy assistant secretary of defense for
prisoner of war and missing personnel affairs, told the audience during the
recent unveiling of the 2004 National POW/MIA Recognition Day poster. The
ceremony was held during the annual government briefing to families of service
members missing in Southeast Asia, at the Crystal City Hilton Hotel in
Arlington, VA.

In describing the poster's design, Jennings said, "You will see our fellow
servicemen, once held in captivity, now awaiting their freedom.

"You will see a stark silhouette of men at war today … atop a tank, with the
somber black POW/MIA flag fluttering from the antenna," Jennings continued.
"This flag reminds us all of the nation's promise to warriors past and present:
We will bring you home.

"In the faces of the POWs we see the pain of uncertainty, yet defiance,"
Jennings noted. "Many seem to be asking, 'When are you coming?' (This is)
symbolic of the more than 88,000 who remain unaccounted for from all conflicts.

The images span the decades, Jennings said. "They span the conflicts in which
dedicated Americans have gone into harm's way. They speak of today's warrior on
today's battlefields. They are drawn together, though, in these stark images."

He said the words "Wherever it takes us; however long it takes; whatever the
cost" are a "solemn pledge."

Larry Greer, spokesman for the POW/Missing Personnel Office, said his
organization has already started to receive requests for the poster. However,
he added, veteran's organizations and military units are getting automatic
distribution of the poster, as they do each year.

If organizations don't get enough posters through normal channels, they can
request additional copies through Greer's office, he said. The poster also can
be downloaded from the office's the Web site..

Greer noted that 142,000 posters were printed this year.

POW/MIA Recognition Day is set aside to honor the commitment and the sacrifices
made by prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action, as well as
their families.

The recognition day is one of six days out of the year that Congress has
mandated flying the black POW/MIA flag over federal facilities and cemeteries,
post offices and military installations. The other days are Armed Forces Day,
Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

By custom, POW/MIA Recognition Day usually is observed in Pentagon ceremonies
on the third Friday in September. However, it has been moved in the past to
avoid conflicts with religious observances. Consequently, this year's ceremony
will be observed on a Tuesday, Sept. 14, out of respect for the Jewish holiday
of Rosh Hashanah.

You can print a copy of the poster by going to:
www.dtic.mil/dpmo/