Honoring the Unseen: Deputy Secretary Hicks Leads Nation in POW/MIA Recognition
Washington D.C. – On September 14, 2023, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks presided over the Department of Defense’s 2023 National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day Ceremony. The solemn event, held at the Pentagon, served as a powerful reminder of the enduring commitment to accounting for every American service member who has been held captive or remains unaccounted for from past conflicts.
The ceremony, which took place at 6:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, brought together military leaders, families of POWs and MIAs, veterans, and concerned citizens to collectively honor the sacrifices of those who endured captivity and the families who have endured years of uncertainty. Deputy Secretary Hicks, in her opening remarks, emphasized the nation’s unwavering dedication to the POW/MIA issue, a testament to the Department’s core values of responsibility and accountability.
“Today, we gather with a profound sense of duty and gratitude to honor those who endured the hardships of captivity and those whose whereabouts remain unknown,” Deputy Secretary Hicks stated. “Their courage, their resilience, and their sacrifice are etched into the very fabric of our nation. We are here to reaffirm our solemn promise: that no one will be left behind, and that we will continue to pursue every avenue to bring closure to their families and our country.”
The ceremony featured poignant readings of names of POWs and MIAs, each name a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the ongoing mission of recovery. The National League of POW/MIA Families, an organization deeply committed to this cause, played a significant role in the proceedings, sharing personal stories and underscoring the critical importance of the Department’s ongoing efforts.
Throughout the year, the Department of Defense, through its Joint Personnel Accounting Command (JPAC) and other specialized units, works tirelessly to locate and identify missing service members. This complex and often challenging work involves meticulous investigation, recovery operations, and advanced forensic analysis, all aimed at providing answers to families who have waited years, and sometimes decades, for news.
The 2023 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony served not only as a moment of remembrance but also as a vital platform to highlight the continued importance of this mission. Deputy Secretary Hicks reiterated the Department’s commitment to leveraging all available resources and fostering international cooperation to advance the accounting of all missing personnel.
The event underscored the deep connection between the nation’s gratitude and its sustained commitment to its service members, both past and present. As the ceremony concluded, the message was clear: the pursuit of truth and the honor of those who served remain paramount, a moral imperative that transcends time and conflict. The enduring spirit of POW/MIA families and the dedication of the Department of Defense ensure that this vital mission continues with unwavering resolve.
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