POW/MIA

POW/MIA Program

The POW/MIA Chairman, Joe Cerchi, would like those posts whose Auxiliary goes "above and beyond" in their support of VFW POW/MIA Programs to send an email to him outlining what makes them special so that their efforts may be recognized.

 

We will not rest until we achieve the fullest possible accounting of all missing American military service members from all wars. 

The numbers of unaccounted-for personnel are staggering, currently 83,000, and the length of time since they have been lost is extensive, going back to World War II. Many will never be recovered because the loss occurred over deep water, were due to catastrophic explosions, or eyewitnesses to the incidents have long since passed, but every new identification helps bring closure to one more American family, and is one step closer to achieving the fullest possible accounting of our missing. It is also a re-commitment to those serving in uniform today that America will bring you home. 

We encourage the U.S. government to continue its POW/MIA accounting efforts, and we are directly engaged with other nations and their veterans’ groups to urge their cooperation and assistance to obtain information about missing Americans. VFW national officers make annual trips to Pacific, Asian and European countries where they always meet with senior host-country officials to stress the importance of conducting investigation and recovery operations, as well as gaining access to documents and archival research facilities.

The VFW is the only veterans organization to return to Southeast Asia every year since 1991, to Russia since 2004, and now into China for nearly a decade. The VFW opens doors on a vet-to-vet level that makes us the envy of U.S. government politicians and bureaucrats who must follow a strict protocol.

The
VFW's Action Corps weekly e-newsletter lists returned MIAs once their names are posted on the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's website.

Download our POW brochure.

POW/MIA Committee Chairman  - Joe Cerchi 
Phone Number:  573-315-1182
Email Address: powmiachrm@movfw.org
 
Online Reporting Categories: Online Reporting
  1. Conducted Program in the Community
  2. Conducted Program in School
  3. Other
  4. Post Ceremony Attended by the Public
  5. POW/MIA Flag Display at Ceremony
  6. POW/MIA Flag Display at Community Program or Parade
 
 
The following are the days that the POW-MIA flag should be flying:
 
Armed Forces Day - the third Saturday in May
Memorial Day - the last Monday in May
Flag Day - June 14
Independence Day - July 4
National POW-MIA Recognition Day - the third Friday in September
Veterans Day - November 11
 
 
 
 2024-2025 ALLSTATE PROGRAM
 
In 2014 the Department of Missouri shifted it's stance on POW/MIA Programs from closed private ceremonies held within the Post Home, to a policy of Public Awareness.  Since 2014, in order for a post to receive credit the Public must be involved in some way.
 
This can be accomplished in several ways.  Carrying the POW/MIA Flag as part of the Color Guard in a parade; displaying the Flag or Missing Man Table at a Community Program or Event; holding a Recognition Ceremony at the Post Home with the Public invited; donating a POW/MIA Flag to an organization or school; or hosting a POW/MIA web-page to name a few.
 
Along with these "acceptable" events, the Department of Missouri also has a list of events that it considers "unacceptable".  These include:  "we remember them at our Post meeting"; "we fly the Flag 24/7 at the Post"; "we have a table in our Post/Canteen"; or a Veterans Funeral.  (The only exception to this is a Memorial Service for a returning MIA.)