National POW/MIA Recognition Day. 81,500 still missing. 60 Rhode Islanders – John Cianci

by John Cianci, contributing writer on veterans issues

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. There are 81500 still missing since World War II. 60 are Rhode Islanders. Despite modern technology, serviceman remain missing and/or unaccounted for. Yes, 60 servicemen and women from Rhode Island said goodbye to their family and friends to go to war— and never came home.  

At least one missing hero wrote to his mother when he was being held as a POW in Vietnam, AND NEVER CAME home to Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

VETKNOW: I met the mother of SSG James Michael Ray, of Woonsocket. She showed me the few letters her son sent to her when in captivity. She told me the pain she suffers every day not knowing what happened to her son.

Images courtesy John A. Cianci

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

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 held on every National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Traditionally held at the Pentagon, it features 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 capitols, schools and veterans’ facilities.

No matter where they are held, these National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies share the common purpose of honoring those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing.

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. 

September 20, 2024 National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Let us think, today, about those estimated 80,000 American service members who remain missing after having served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts – with a special thought to 60 Rhode Islanders who never came home.

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John A. Cianci is a Veteran Service Officer. Retired, U.S. Army MSgt., Persian Gulf War and Iraq War combat theater.

Cianci, a combat disabled Veteran, served in Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards include Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct, and others.

Cianci belongs to numerous veterans organizations – Italian American War Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, and many more organizations. He is an active volunteer assisting veterans to navigate federal and state benefits they have earned. He is Department of Rhode Island Department Commander Italian American War Veterans and Veteran Service Officer.

He is a graduate of Roger Williams University (BS Finance), UCONN business school* (Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans), Solar Energy International Residential, Commercial and Battery Based Photovoltaic Systems certificate programs, numerous certificates from the Department of Defense renewable energy programs, including graduate of the Solar Ready Vets Program.