What is National Former Prisoner Of War Recognition Day?
On April 9th, National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day honors the brave men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors. They've also suffered separation from family and displayed incredible patience and faith during their captivity, as a result..
The largest number of US Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines on this day in 1942. The captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp after being pushed through extreme weather and prolonged wars. Thousands of people died without medical care, food, or water. For those who survived the difficult journey, the mistreatment continued. For those who could survive, the complexities, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years in the compounds, deep inside the uncharted jungle, poverty, brutality, and suffering.
Over half a million service members have been captured since the Revolutionary War. This number does not represent those who were lost or never recovered. This number does not represent those who were missing or never recovered. However, each POW suffers conditions similar to those listed above. These heroes are deserving of a day of esteem.
