POW, MIA, Killed in Action/Body not Recovered (KIA/BNR) - what do those words really mean to Americans?
Today, you still see flags flying everywhere you look…but does everyone know the true meaning of the flag? When you see the acronyms above, are they just letters? Think about it for a moment - do we really take the time to know what they mean beyond the surface definition? Many talk about the sacrifices that are made, but do they really know the heartache and pain that is still carried with family members of those who have been lost? Do they know the pain they feel from not knowing what happened to their loved ones?
The sad afterthought seems to be all that has become of our POW, MIA, and KIA/BNR. I’m afraid even us men and women who have served, or are serving, may have forgotten a little along the way. All too many times when we think about those who have come before us, we only think of those who made the sacrifice and died on the battle field. We only think of our heroes who have been awarded our highest awards or those who have done the most selfless acts.
In ways, our POW, MIA, KIA/BNR are getting lost in the shuffle. We are doing great things for all those who have been injured in today’s wars: trying to make sure veterans are aware of their benefits, thanking veterans for their service to our country, giving discounts for services and things of that sort. And that is what should be done for those who served - we deserve it! But the plight of our lost service men and women also deserve the same recognition. We can never give up on them, for they would not give up on us. We must never give up on the idea that everyone comes home.
How can we remind our nation to recognize our brothers and sisters who were lost along the way?
Comment below or start the conversation here and connect within the military community.
Interesting comment and call to action all at the same time. As to how we keep history fresh in our hearts and minds, you have to keep it a part of our current conversations and enlighten those who do not have the information. Word-of-mouth works well and travels swiftly when the quality information is exchanged by friends ...
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