On September 16, 2026, members of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Chapter #121 (Greater Cincinnati) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) presented the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster to the Clermont County Commissioners.
POW/MIA Recognition Day was established by Congress in 1979. It commemorates the sacrifices and services of those who were prisoners of war and those who are listed as missing-in-action.
The United States President proclaims the National POW/MIA Recognition Day on the third Friday of the month of September each year.
The Recognition Day commemorates the sacrifices and services of those who were prisoners of war and those who are listed as missing-in-action.
According to KWVA Chapter #121 Adjutant John Plahovinsak, in 2025, there were 71,783 veterans unaccounted for from World War II, and there were 1,566 veterans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
The Department of War’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), during a briefing at the 2026 DAV National Convention, stated that 7,380 veterans were unaccounted for from the Korean War.
However, in 2025, the DPAA was able to identify the remains of 800 veterans from the Korean War.
On August 5, 2026, the Accounting Agency was able to identify two (2) veterans whose remains could be returned home for burial. Adjutant Plahovinsak illustrated the history of these two (2) veterans.
Private James Redden served with Company B of the 31st Infantry Regiment. He was captured and survived the Bataan Death March, but he died in captivity at the notorious Camp Cabanatuan Prison Camp on September 28, 1942.
Conditions at Camp Cabanatuan were extremely poor, with food and water extremely limited, leading to widespread malnutrition and outbreaks of malaria and dysentery. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, approximately 2,800 Americans had died at Camp Cabanatuan.
Private First Class Ricardo Garca served with the 21st Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division. He fought in a defensive position at the village of Chochiwon on July 11, 1950. He was taken prisoner and executed with four (4) other U.S. soldiers by North Koreans near Kujong-ni.
The 2026 National Recognition POW/MIA Poster was presented to the Clermont County Board of Commissioners by DAV Chapter #63 Treasurer Susan Ward, while KWVA Adjutant Plahovinsak explained the symbolism of the Poster.
The Gold Star embodies the core of the DPAA mission and the commitment the agency makes to the families of the veteran. Being front and center, the Star symbolizes the sacrifice of the families who have lost a loved one in service to the nation. It fuels the DPAA’s dedication to providing them with answers.
The POW/MIA Flag’s placement over the Gold Star is a representation of how each family carries the memory and upholds the legacy of the Nation’s missing service members. The motto on the flag states, “You are not forgotten.”
The Warrior Ethos on the Poster is the driving force behind DPAA’s work.
It reads: I will always place the mission first…I will never leave a fallen comrade.”
This Ethos is a constant reminder of the agency’s promise to the Nation and guides the actions and mindset of DPAA.
Following the presentation of the Official POW/MIA Poster to the Board of County Commissioners, KWVA Chapter #121 Adjutant Plahovinsak made individual presentations from KWVA Chairman Joe Kettig to the County Commissioners.
President of the Board Bonnie Batchler, Vice-President of the Board David Painter and Commissioner Clair Corcoran received identical Postal First Day framed envelopes, with a cancelled United States’ twenty-nine (29) cent Korean War stamp.
The picture on the left side of the envelope depicts a Korean War G.I. soldier looking to the sky for hope of living to see the next day. The cancelled stamp is a depiction of U.S. Marines struggling through heavy snow during their fighting retreat from the Chosin Reservoir.
“It was indeed an honor to present the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster to the Board of County Commissioners,” explained KWVA Chapter #121 Adjutant.
“KWVA Commander Joe Rettig wanted to present the Korean War Postal First Day Covers to the Board,” explained Plahovinsak, “for their outstanding support of Korean War veterans and all veterans within Clermont County.”