A recognition ceremony for National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day will take place in California Sept. 20 as a combined effort between the Moniteau County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4345 and the Edgar Cole Post 304 American Legion.
The ceremony, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. at VP Plumbing at the corner of Buchanan and South East streets, will feature a newly-installed flag pole dedicated to flying the POW/MIA flag.
During the event, TAPS will be played as well as a three-rifle volley. Adjutant for the Moniteau County VFW George Shelley said this action is quite different than a 21-gun salute.
"Some people are under the impression that the three-rifle volleys that are done at funeral services are called 21-gun salutes," Shelley said. "That's not true. During the Civil War, and before, armies came together on a field of battle and they'd pause to remove the wounded and the dead from the battlefield. When one side got done removing the wounded and dead, that side would fire three volleys."
Shelley said volleys were completed to indicate the dead and wounded of the battle were properly cared for. However, a 21-gun salute was only done on naval crafts and when the head-of-state arrived.
A raising of the POW/MIA flag at the recognition event will further show that the dead in battle are certainly not forgotten - they are remembered.