WHEREAS, on July 18, 1979, the first commemoration was held to honor American POW/ MIAs, those returned and those still missing from our nation’s wars; and WHEREAS, in 1986, the month of September was established as the National date of recognition to honor American POW/MIAs throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools, churches, veteran and civic organizations, police and fire departments, etc.; and WHEREAS, the United States National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. The observance this year will be Friday, September 16, 2022; and WHEREAS, the former POWs who live among us, along with MIAs and the families of POW/MIAs, are to be honored and respected for their past and continuing sacrifices: NOW, THEREFORE, I, LaDawn Cooper Edwards, Mayor of the Town of Jena, Louisiana, Parish of LaSalle, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2022 as National POW/MIA Recognition Month and September 16, 2022, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day AND, FURTHER, I call upon our citizens to join me in honoring former American Prisoners of War who suffered the hardships of captivity and in renewing our commitment to those Americans still Missing in Action.