Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Luncheon to honor former POW veterans
The event will be held today at noon in the All Faith Chapel
The Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center is hosting a luncheon for former Prisoners of War veterans.
CALN >> Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center is hosting a luncheon today for former Prisoners of War (POW) veterans, in recognition of National POW/ MIA Recognition Day.
Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) officials said the luncheon honors the service and sacrifice of veterans who were taken prisoner or remain missing.
The Coatesville VA this year will host a POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony and Luncheon today at noon in Building 72, the All Faith Chapel. The VA is at 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road. Invited are former POW veterans, families, friends and medical center employees to remember the service of veterans who were taken prisoner or remain missing in action (MIA).
More than 500,000 Americans have been captured and interned as POWs since the American Revolution. More than 83,000 Americans remain missing from World War II through the present day, according to the VA.
Observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, in state capitol buildings, schools and veterans’ facilities. It is traditionally observed on the third Friday in September each year. This observance is one of six days throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
Any former POW who needs special assistance from the Coatesville VA Medical Center can speak to the former POW coordinator, who can be reached at 610-384-7711 ext. 2515 or 4011.
All veterans who are treated at the Coatesville VA Medical Center must be eligible for and enrolled in VA health care. Eligibility and enrollment professionals can be reached at 610383-0265 or 610-383-0266. For more information, visit www.coatesville.va.gov and www.facebook.com/coatesvillevamc.