[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 140 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DENNIS A. ROSS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2016

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention 
to a very special POW/MIA memorial dedication ceremony taking place in 
my home town of Lakeland, Florida.
   As flags are raised across America this week in honor of National 
POW/MIA Recognition Day, we must stand united as a nation remembering 
and honoring those captured and those who have gone missing while 
serving our great country, as well as their loved ones. Today, as in 
every day, we shall live by the POW/MIA flag's creed: You Are Not 
Forgotten.
   No other country has devoted as much energy and as many resources to 
account for its missing or captured like the United States of America. 
Our debt to American prisoners of war, those missing in action, and the 
families of these brave soldiers can never truly be repaid.
   America's service members are the backbone of the freedom and 
prosperity this country has been blessed with for more than two hundred 
years. The sacrifices made by these courageous and selfless men and 
women in uniform, on behalf of perfect strangers, embodies the American 
spirit of patriotism.
   Few among us will ever understand the pain and fear associated with 
knowing a loved one is captured or missing in a warzone across the 
globe. We as a nation must join together to honor those who have 
sacrificed so greatly today, and every day. Without their sacrifices, 
we would not be able to enjoy the liberties we are blessed with today. 
Let us never take for granted their selfless protection of our great 
nation and its people.
   May God continue to watch over our valiant soldiers, and return them 
safely home, and may God continue to bless the United States of 
America.

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