Sen. Cornyn Commemorates National P.O.W/M.I.A Recognition Day

Statement

Sen. Cornyn Commemorates National P.O.W/M.I.A Recognition Day

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement in commemoration of National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day, which will be observed tomorrow, Friday, September 19, 2008:

"National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day is a solemn day to pay tribute to all Americans who were held as prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action today. Many of our nation's P.O.W.'s have endured horrific torture, starvation, disease and even death. All the while, these heroes stayed fiercely loyal to their country and made great sacrifices for the security of their fellow servicemen and women and all Americans.

"On a personal level, as the son of a World War II P.O.W., this day has significant meaning for me. My father served as a B-17 pilot in World War II, and served honorably for 31 years in the United States Air Force. He was shot down and spent four months in a German prisoner of war camp before General Patton and his Army came along and liberated him and his fellow P.O.W.'s. He instilled in me a great respect for the brave service and sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.

"I encourage all Texans to join me on National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day to remember these heroes, and pray for those who remain missing and all of their loved ones who have suffered tremendous heartache and made incredible sacrifices on behalf of every American. We must continue to do everything in our power to locate those who remain missing and return them safely to their families."

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