The POW Committee of Michigan is hosting a National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the “Michigan Remembers” POW/MIA Memorial, at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, 43300 W. Twelve Mile Road in Novi.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2024 is Friday, Sept. 20. Observed since 1979, National POW/MIA Recognition Day gives our nation the opportunity to commemorate those returned as well as those still unaccounted for from our nation’s wars.

Ceremonies are held throughout the nation and around the world in government installations, municipalities, schools, POW/MIA organizations, veterans’ organizations, and others host events in thankfulness for those accounted for and in an ongoing dedication to the fullest possible accounting for those still unreturned from our nation’s military and wars.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

A national-level ceremony is traditionally held at the Pentagon, featuring members from each branch of military service and participation from high-ranking officials.

In addition to the national-level ceremony, observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitals, schools and veterans’ facilities.

For more information, visit www.michiganpowmia.org.

Since 1999, the POW/MIA Accounting community has created a poster commemorating National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The annual edition of the poster continues to honor this tradition and may be ordered at: dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamWebPosters.

Holly Area Veterans Resource Center to host POW/MIA Recognition Day

Holly Area Veterans Resource Center to host a POW/MIA Recognition Day service at noon Sept. 20, at the Purple Heart Monument downtown in front of the township offices.

During the service, a name will be read and a bell rung for each of those American service personnel who are still missing in Southeast Asia. They will also hold a vigil from noon until 8 p.m. at the monument. For more information, call 810-348-9960.

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency staff available for veteran-focused events

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency staff are available to attend and/or speak at events for veterans or that involve veteran issues. Staff are available to attend and/or speak at events, participate on a panel or present a session, staff a booth or table, provide brochures and information on health care, education, employment and other topics concerning veterans.

In addition, organizations may add their veteran-focused event to the MVAA website by filling out the form at www.michigan.gov/mvaa/forms/event-invitation, with information about the event such as date, time, location and expected number of attendees. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mvaa/about-us/request-event.

Upcoming events

• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Vet to Vet Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at 408 S. Saginaw St., Holly. All vets and their significant others welcome. Food provided. Call 810-348-9960.

• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Taco Tuesday Mexican Buffet from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 17, Broasted Chicken Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, and Fish dinners from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at 130 Drahner Road, Oxford. For more information, call 248-628-9081.

• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Bingo from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 4819 Mary Sue Ave. For more information, call 248-673-9301.

• Troy VFW Post 4037 Auxiliary to host “Girls Night Out” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at 2375 E. Maple Road, Troy. Girls Night Out is a night out with pool, darts, drinks, music, snacks, raffles, outdoor patio, fire pit, video golf, cornhole. Raffles held throughout the night will benefit the post Building Fund. The building has been in need of repairs, updating, and revitalization. Female veterans and their families/friends are encouraged to attend, but the event is open to the public, so everyone is welcome. For more information, call 248-689-7289.

• Clarkston American Legion Post 63 to host Euchre from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at 8047 Ortonville Road. For more information, call 248-625-9912.

The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events.