Sam Johnson Statement on National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Washington,
Sep 21 -
U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) released the following statement today, National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day. Johnson, a 29-year Air Force veteran, spent nearly 7 years as a POW in Vietnam, nearly half of that time in solitary confinement.
“Each year on the third Friday in September, our nation pauses to observe National Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) Day. Today, please take a moment to remember all of the brave men and women who have fought to protect our freedom but never returned, or have not yet returned, home to their loved ones.
As a former Prisoner of War in Vietnam for nearly seven years – more than half that time in solitary confinement – I actually consider myself lucky. I came home. Today, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from Vietnam as well as hundreds of thousands from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I wish Americans heard more about our missing comrades, and the search for them. While held captive, I found inspiration in a quote etched on a wall by a former POW that read, “Freedom has a taste to it that those who fight and nearly die for it that the protected will never know.”
Our missing troops want, need and deserve their freedom and your prayers. We will not forget them, and we will bring them home.”
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