POW/MIA flag-raising ceremony at MCC pays tribute
Honoring those who have sacrificially given and their families, Meridian Community College hosted a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag-raising ceremony with campus and community turning out in front of Ivy-Scaggs Hall.
The day’s hallmarks are to honor, remember, grieve alongside, and be thankful for the service members who were willing to stand in the gap for their fellow citizens.
Citing federal statistics, there are over 80,000 U.S. service members still classified as Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) across conflicts such as WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Gulf Wars, and others.
“It’s a day to say we remember and we are grateful,” said MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner, as he addressed the audience of MCC students, faculty, and staff, as well as community residents at the College’s flag plaza. “It is a day for us to remember how the people who sacrificed were not different than those who we see every day.”
He added, “In light of this day and the light of the losses that we have experienced in our world, I just want you to consider how you can encourage those near you, embrace the opportunities you have, recognize your power to impact the world in a positive way and I want to encourage you to never forget those who gave all so we can be here today.”
As "Taps" was played by Chris King, director of bands, the POW/MIA flag and the United States flag were raised.
To learn more about the College's resources for veterans, visit meridiancc.edu/military.