Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti (MVHDJJ) hosted a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day ceremony on September 17, 2021, at 425 Fisher St., Marquette.
The recognition ceremony included remarks by Cary Lincoln, director of nursing for MVHDJJ, U.S. Army Veteran Bill Hager, who was recently awarded U.P. Veteran of the Year, and U.S. Air Force Veteran and MVHDJJ Chaplain Dr. Jim Elenbaas. The ceremony included a posting of the colors led by the MVHDJJ Veteran Facility Coordinators, a performance of Taps led by U.S. Navy Veteran Charlie Hawes and music by MVHDJJ Veteran Facility Coordinator soloist Lois Westman.
Former POW and Korean War Veteran Willis W. Remus, a resident member of the Home, was recognized during the ceremony. As a Private in the U.S. Army, Remus was held as a POW after he was captured during the Korean War on May 18, 1951 and was held until his release on August 19, 1953 after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September and is a time to remember the sacrifices of POWs and service members who are MIA. On March 28, 1988, Ronald Reagan signed into law a separate holiday for National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day which is observed annually on April 9th.
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