Charlotte County will hold its annual POW-MIA Recognition Day ceremony this week.

The event will take place on Friday, on the lawn in front of the Charlotte County Administration Building, at 250 LeGrande Ave.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

This event is hosted each year by Charlotte County VFW Post 8902.

“The reason for POW-MIA Recognition Day is to remember those that were prisoners of war and thank them for their service,” said VFW Member Garland H. “Butch” Hamlett. “They endured extreme hardships and some, if not all, were probably tortured.”

He also said individuals listed as “Missing In Action” need remembering as well and should not be forgotten.

“Hopefully their remains are found for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Hamlett said National League of Families started POW-MIA Recognition Day in Ohio in early 1970s and the event is always the third Friday in September across the country.

He said the president of the United States does a proclamation each year.

According to the Defense of POW/MIA Accounting Agency, “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 flag will be flown at major military installations, national cemeteries, all post offices, VA medical facilities, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the official offices of the secretaries of state, defense and veterans affairs, the director of the selective service system and the White House.

“Never forget our POW-MIAs,” said Hamlett.