“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers,” – John F. Kennedy. lt’s commendable that Americans continue to honor the contribution of men and women who served in uniform during wartime. The latest demonstration of this came in Congress recently with adoption of a joint resolution designating July 9, 1982 and April 9, 1983 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Presumably after this year the observance will be perpetuated on the latter date. Why April9′? This was the date in 1942 – 40 years ago – when a large force of American soldiers was taken prisoner in the fall of Bataan ninsula earl in World WF; II. y Recognition Day as finally agreed upon was a bipartisan compromise from several resolutions introduced in the two Houses of Congress. Its prime purpose, according to Rep, Robert K. Dornan, R-Calif.. chairman of the House Task Force on Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, is to renew the memory of American sacrifices in the Vietnam conflict and the efforts to account for missing servicemen. It recognizes that Americans still may be incarcerated in Southeast Asia and the need for continued pressure to seek out the facts and clear up uncertainties. “Although it has been nine years since the signing of the Paris Peace Accords which brought about the end of the Vietnam War,” said Sens, S.I. I-Iayakawa, RCalif.. “the war has not ended for the families of 2,500 Americans who remain unaccounted for. “These families still do not know the fate of their loved ones. They want to know what happened to their sons, daddies, their loved ones – and we do not know. So we must continue the search.” Reco ition Day is intendegnalso to honor prisoners of war and MIAs from other wars. Hayakawa said more than 90,000 Americans from other conflicts remain unaccounted for. “lt is fitting and proper that our nation pay tribute to those who have so valiantly defended the values we espouse. We must not forget them.” The effort to account for POWs and MIAs of the Vietnam War has continued to produce spasmodic results, including four shipments of Gl remains from Southeast Asia in the past year. Such organizations as the National League of Families remain active, And as recentliy as February, a De erise Department delegation visited Hanoi to impress upon the Vietnamese that the American people will continue to press for “an honorable resolution of the problem.” It’s an uphill struggle, of course, and it is hoped that National POW,/MTA Recognition Day will give new impetus to the effort.