POWs and MIAs remembered

VA Western New York Healthcare System hosts a National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, in Freedom Hall, Room 301, at the Buffalo VA medical center, 3495 Bailey Ave.

This commemoration is set aside to honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the nation's Prisoners of War and those who are still missing in action, as well as their families. Since World War I, more than 142,000 Americans, including 85 women, have been captured and interned as POWs. Not included in this figure are nearly 93,000 Americans who were lost or never recovered. Approximately 30 percent of America's POWs (29,350) since World War I are still living.

Dr. Patrick Welch, director of the Center for Veterans & Family Services at Daemen College, is keynote speaker. He served as an infantry squad leader for the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, receiving awards such as the Purple Heart and Combat Action Medal. He has worked as a veterans advocate since 1989.