2026 House Resolution 358

Whereas, The United States has fought in many wars. Thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the enemy or are listed as missing in action; and

Whereas, It has always been the creed of those who wear a military uniform never to leave a fallen comrade on the battlefield. On this day, we pay tribute to those who are missing in action or have been taken prisoner of war and never returned home; and

Whereas, To date, more than 80,000 Americans are listed as prisoners of war or missing in action since World War II. This includes more than 71,000 from World War II, 7,000 from the Korean War, one hundred from the Cold War, 1,500 from the Vietnam War, and six from the Gulf War and Libya. Of those totals, 2,438 are from Michigan from World War II, 327 from the Korean War, five from the Cold War, and forty-eight from the Vietnam War. The families of these service members continue to await answers regarding the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones; and

Whereas, We as a nation can never collectively rest until we achieve the fullest possible accounting for those men and women; and

Whereas, We express our deepest gratitude to these patriots in both words and actions, knowing they served to protect the rights and freedoms of our nation. Our commitment will not be fulfilled until every possible effort has been made to account for those who remain missing and to bring them home; and

Whereas, The black-and-white POW/MIA flag will fly proudly alongside the United States and State of Michigan flags on the third Friday of September, which this year is September 18, serving as a solemn reminder that the duty of those who are missing in action or prisoners of war is unfinished, and that our duty continues as we seek to find, repatriate, and honor these courageous men and women; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 18, 2026, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in the state of Michigan.