by Carolyn Abell
September 17 is an important day for Americans. It marks the 223rd anniversary of our United States Constitution. Constitution Day is not a holiday, nor should it be. Holidays have too often evolved as a day of cook-outs and beach trips, of being off work, and scurrying to take advantage of sales at every major store in shopping malls. Too often the real significance of the day gets lost.
A law passed in 2004 makes it mandatory for every school that receives federal funding assistance to teach students about the U.S. Constitution on September 17. Spearheaded by now deceased Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who was greatly concerned about the appalling ignorance of most Americans on our country’s basic organization and functions, the law mandates instruction to school students about the three branches of the federal Government and their basic functions, powers, and limitations.
The United States Constitution has endured longer than any other constitution in the world, and has been used by many other countries as a model for drafting their own constitutions.
An organization that has worked long and diligently to promote recognition and awareness of the provisions of our basic governing document is the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Chapters of the DAR are involved every year in coordinating programs of recognition on Constitution Day. Schools, churches, and local governments celebrate and cherish this document of irreplaceable significance to our nation’s history and to its future.
Even though Constitution Day is not a holiday, it is a reason for Americans to fly their flags with pride and gratitude for a country that has been blessed in so many ways and for so many years by Almighty God.
There is another reason that September 17 is important this year, however. It happens to be POW/MIA Recognition Day.
The National League of POW/MIA Families was started in the late 1960’s by family members of missing service members from the Vietnam War. The League was formed and then incorporated on May 28, 1970 as a non-profit, tax-exempt 501[c] 3 humanitarian organization. According to their web site, “The League’s sole purpose is to obtain the release of all prisoners, the fullest possible accounting for the missing and repatriation of all recoverable remains of those who died serving our nation during the Vietnam War in Southeast Asia.”
More than 900 members originally listed as missing in action or prisoners of war have now been accounted for. 1711 more have not yet been accounted for. Thirty of those are from the state of Georgia.
In 1986 the League recommended that the third Friday in September be designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day. It is coincidental that this year the third Friday falls on September 17, which is also the anniversary of the Constitution.
On POW/MIA Recognition Day, ceremonies are conducted around the country in recognition of those 1711 who are still missing. In Georgia the main event will be held in Andersonville, where the Andersonville National Historic Site will mark the day of recognition in solemn ceremonies. This year the Moving Vietnam Memorial Wall, escorted in by the motorcycle group, Rolling Thunder, will be in Andersonville for ten days, furnishing a fitting and dramatic backdrop for this solemn occasion. Founded in 1987 for the purpose of raising awareness of POW, MIA, and Veterans’ Rights issues, Rolling Thunder is best known for its annual “Ride for Freedom” in Washington D.C. every Memorial Day week-end.
So now you have two very good reasons to fly the flag with pride and recognition on Friday, September 17. And while you are at it, say a prayer for God’s blessings on our nation and for the families of those 1711 still missing from Vietnam.
Copyright 2010 Carolyn Abell
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