The annual Charlotte County POW/MIA ceremony was held Friday at the Charlotte County Administration Office.

National POW/MIA recognition day is held the third Friday in September.

According to the National League of POW/MIA Families, “on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor all American prisoners of war and express our deep gratitude for the courage and determination they exemplified while enduring terrible hardships. We also pay tribute to those who never returned from the battlefield and to their families, who live each day with uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones.”

The welcome for the event was provided by VFW Post 8902’s Monroe Tuggle.

At the September meeting of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors, a resolution was passed honoring Charlotte County’s Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

The resolution said “whereas, Charlotte County recognizes the important role played in the history of the United States by Prisoners of War (POW) and by those declared Missing in Action (MIA) …”

Additionally, the resolution said thousands of American military personnel still remain unaccounted for.

“Today, Americans across the country will pause to remember the United States service members who never came home either living or dead …” said Guest Speaker Thomas Queck during the ceremony.

Queck said the recognition day is one of six where congress mandates the flying of the POW flag.

“The POW/MIA flag stands as a powerful symbol of national commitment to America’s POW/MIA’s …” said the resolution.

Queck said the other days are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

During the ceremony, the significance of the POW/MIA table was outlined in honor of those missing in action and prisoners of war.

The table consists of several symbols.

“We call your attention to this small table that occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks …” said Guest Chaz Bratenburg.

He said let us remember and never forget their sacrifice.

Representatives from the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors, school staff, students, school boards members and members of the public attended the ceremony.