MOPH National Commander is Guest of Honor at Eglin AFB POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is proud to announce that on Friday, September 21, 2012, National Commander Bruce McKenty will be the Guest of Honor at the 12^th annual observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The public is invited to attend the ceremony which will take place at 9:00 AM, Friday, September 21, 2011 at the Air Force Armament Museum outside the main gate of Eglin Air Force Base.

“Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.”

Authorized by the Congress in 1979, National POW/MIA Recognition Day has been observed on the third Friday of September each year since 1986. On this day, all Americans are encouraged to take the time to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who were prisoners of war (POW) and the more than 83,000 Americans who remain missing in action (MIA), as well as their families. In one of the nation’s largest commemorations, the ceremony at Eglin AFB brings together the public, including many veterans, and active duty military personnel. Highlights of the day include a number of distinguished guest speakers, including a former Prisoner of War, a joint-service honor guard and bagpiper, a wreath presentation, a flyover by the 53d U.S. Air Force Wing, and the unveiling of a highway sign proclaiming Okaloosa as Florida’s first Purple Heart County. Following the military creed of “No man left behind!,” this ceremony demonstrates an unwavering commitment to obtain the fullest possible accounting of all Americans still listed as missing in action and unaccounted for.

The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS Program, MOPH volunteers selflessly provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.

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