POW/MIA

#🕊️ POW/MIA 
 

You Are Not Forgotten.

"All those who fought and served their country when they received the call, were men and women of courage, judgment, integrity and dedication. Where does dedication end? You can never put an end to dedication. After all, those who remain Prisoners of War or are still Missing in Action are still serving with never-ending dedication. For them, it can never be over. For us, we can never let their sacrifices, or them, be forgotten."

 

🇺🇸 The Numbers That Won't Let Us Rest

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) — the federal agency charged with bringing every American home — the count of those still unaccounted for as of March 2026:dpaa

Conflict Still Missing
World War II (1941 – 1946) 71,783
Korean War (1950 – 1953) 7,380
Vietnam War (1959 – 1975) 1,566
Cold War (1945 – 1991) 126
Gulf Wars & Post-1986 6
TOTAL 80,861 Americans

More than 80,000 American families still wait.

🕊️ We Bring Them Home

Since 1973, DPAA and its predecessor agencies have accounted for more than 3,700 missing Americans — nearly 1,000 from World War II, over 450 from Korea, over 1,000 from Vietnam.

Fiscal Year 2025 was a historic year: DPAA identified 231 missing service members — the most in a single year since the agency's founding in 2015, and far exceeding Congress's mandate of 200 per year.

Of the 231 accounted for in FY 2025:

  • 165 from World War II

  • 58 from the Korean War

  • 8 from the Vietnam War

Every identification means one family that finally gets to bury their veteran with honor.

🏛️ The VFW Pledge

"We will not rest until we have the fullest possible accounting for every single service member."

— VFW Statement, POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 2025

 

The VFW has advocated for POW/MIA accountability since the end of the Vietnam War. Post 969 carries that pledge forward every single day — through ceremonies, education, remembrance, and pressure on Washington to keep funding the recovery mission.

🏴 The POW/MIA Flag

The stark black-and-white POW/MIA flag — designed in 1971 and now recognized in federal law — bears the silhouette of a captured service member, a guard tower, a strand of barbed wire, and four words:

"YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN."

VFW Protocol: Because the POW/MIA flag is considered a federal banner, it takes precedence over all other flags flying on the same pole beneath the U.S. flag (VFW National).

The POW/MIA flag flies at VFW Post 969 in perpetuity — a daily reminder to every visitor, every member, and every passerby that our brothers and sisters are still out there, and we have not forgotten.

By federal law, the POW/MIA flag flies over the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials, every VA medical center, every national cemetery, and every post office in America on six national observance days each year:

  • 🎗️ Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May)

  • 🎗️ Memorial Day (last Monday in May)

  • 🎗️ Flag Day (June 14)

  • 🎗️ Independence Day (July 4)

  • 🎗️ POW/MIA Recognition Day (third Friday in September)

  • 🎗️ Veterans Day (November 11)

🍽️ The Missing Man Table

At every formal VFW event, dinner, and ceremony, a small round table stands set apart from all others.

No one sits at it. No one ever will.

The Missing Man Table — also called the POW/MIA Table or Fallen Comrade Table — is one of the most sacred traditions in the American military. Every element carries meaning:

Element Symbolism
Small round table Our everlasting concern for our missing comrades
White tablecloth The purity of their motives when answering the call
Single red rose in a vase The blood they may have shed in sacrifice, and the love of family and friends still waiting
Red ribbon around the vase The unyielding determination to account for the missing
Slice of lemon on the bread plate The bitter fate of the missing
Salt sprinkled on the plate The tears shed by families still waiting
Inverted glass Their inability to share tonight's toast
Bible The strength gained through faith to sustain us and them
Lit candle The upward reach of unconquerable spirit
Empty chair The absence of our brothers and sisters

The place is set. The seat is empty. The promise remains: You are not forgotten.*

📅 POW/MIA Recognition Day

The third Friday of September — every year, by federal proclamation — is set aside for Americans to remember those who did not come home.

At Post 969, POW/MIA Recognition Day includes:

  • 🕊️ Missing Man Table Ceremony

  • 🎺 Flag raising and lowering with honor guard

  • 🕯️ Candle-lighting for the missing

  • 📖 Reading of names when available

  • 🤝 Fellowship with Star Families and community members

Every American is welcome. Please join us.

Watch our Facebook page for annual event details.

🕯️ How You Can Help Keep the Promise

🎗️ Attend our POW/MIA Ceremonies
Come stand with us on POW/MIA Recognition Day and at any Missing Man Table ceremony.

🏴 Fly the POW/MIA Flag
At your home, business, church, or civic organization — especially on the six national observance days.

📢 Educate Others
Share the story. Explain the Missing Man Table when you see one. Teach your children what the black flag means.

🇺🇸 Support DPAA
Learn about the recovery mission at dpaa.mil. Contact your Congressional representatives to protect DPAA funding.

🤝 Connect Post 969 with a POW or MIA Family
If you are a family member of an American POW or MIA — from any conflict — please contact us. We want to know your loved one's name. We want to honor them.

📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org

🇺🇸 Resources for POW/MIA Families

📞 Contact Post 969

VFW Post 969 — Eric G. Sandstrom Post
📍 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
🌐 vfw969.org
📘 Facebook

"YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN."

The place is set. The seat is empty. The promise remains.

No one does more for veterans — including the ones still waiting to come home.