Northeast POW/MIA Network
Faith and Trust ..... 
We must never Forget


POW/MIA VIGIL AND FREEDOM RIDE

37th Anniversary of the Vigil

32nd Anniversary of the Freedom Ride

THURSDAY ~ JUNE 18, 2026  

FREEDOM RIDE: Kickstands up at 6:00pm
with a police escort down Route 3 to
“The Rock”

HESKY PARK MEREDITH

POW/MIA VIGIL starts at 7:00pm

The awareness program has been set

Guest Speaker: Col. Alan Shumate (RET)

“IT’S THE NUMBERS ONLY THAT BRINGS AWARENESS.. IF YOU CARE BE THERE”

Anyone riding should plan on being at Lowe's [1407 Lake Shore Road in Gilford].  Plan on being there by 5:45pm ~ we will be leaving the parking lot by 6:00pm with a police escort down route 3 to “The Rock” Hesky Park.
Rolling Thunder NH1 will be on hand to help get everyone lined up.

Numbers are important! This issue belongs to EVERYONE!

THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!

NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED IN THE RIDE

 IF YOU ARE NOT A RIDER ~ Please join us at Hesky Park ~ you can arrive by vehicle by way of Route 106 N.
There is plenty of parking and your voice is important!

Riders Handout

National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Annually held on the third Friday in September

In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. It is most associated with those who were POWs during the Vietnam War.

Today, nearly 82,000 service members remain unaccounted for, from conflicts dating back to World War II, she said. More than 72,000 of those were lost during World War II, nearly 8,000 from the Korean War, and around 1,600 remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

No matter where they are held, these National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies share the common purpose of honoring those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing.

Since 1999, the POW/MIA Accounting community has created a poster commemorating National POW/MIA Recognition Day.  The 2025 edition of the poster, continues to honor this tradition.

NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY
Annually on April 9

National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9 honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors, separation from family and displayed incredible endurance and faith during their captivity. On this day in 1942, the largest number of U.S. Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.

After battling through extreme conditions and prolonged battles, the captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp. Without medical attention, food or water thousands died. The mistreatment continued for those who survived the brutal journey. In the compounds, deep in the unfamiliar jungle, the hardships, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years for those who could survive. Many POWs endure conditions much like this.

These heroes deserve a day of recognition. An annual presidential proclamation is signed for National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day and government officials, veterans, civic and private organizations observe the day with ceremonies and events. Some states require the POW/MIA flag to be flown in this day.

David Haskell

Thank You, it was an Honor having you present for All 3 "Purple Heart Trail" sign Ceremonies 22 April 2023, Meredith NH. Semper Fi & "Welcome Home" Brother

National Gold Star Mother’s Day
Annually observed on the last Sunday in September

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed on the last Sunday in September. Gold Star Mother’s Day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Each year there are events and meetings to publicly express love, sorrow and reverence toward Gold Star Mothers and their families. Flags are also mandated to be displayed on government buildings on this day. Army.mil says Gold Star Mother’s Day is intended “to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces”.

Why The Gold Star?

The Gold Star is a symbol of a loved one lost in combat.

According to an L.A. Times article, “During World War I, a practice developed across the country: Families displayed flags featuring a blue star, a sign that a family member was fighting in the war. Some flags would display more than one star.”

The exact origins of this tradition are not fully known, but at some point, gold star flags would go up to signify the family member had died on duty. The term “Gold Star Family” went into the national vocabulary thanks to the sacrifices of men and women serving in uniform.

New Hampshire Gold Star Mother’s Day

4:13-h Gold Star Mother's Day. – The governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling for the proper observance of the first Sunday after Easter which shall be known as Gold Star Mother's Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who have lost sons or daughters while on duty in the United States armed forces. The governor shall urge the citizens of the state to observe this day with appropriate events.

National Blue Star Mother’s Day

Observed on February 1st

The Blue Star is a symbol of a loved one serving during a time of conflict or war.

On January 22, 1942 the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking Mothers of serviceman to return the coupon after filling it out. The following February 1st 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel, in Flint Michigan. Captain George H. Maines, who had conceived the idea for this group, acted as the chair of this first meeting. It was decided that after receiving 1000 responses from the ad to form a permanent organization.

On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by congress.

What does a blue star banner mean?

It's an American tradition to display a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Americans support troops deployed overseas, the Blue Star Service Banner is a reminder that war touches every neighborhood.

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day

Section 4:13-r - Blue Star Mother's Day - The governor shall annually proclaim the first Sunday after Mother's Day as Blue Star Mother's Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the United States armed forces. The governor shall urge the citizens of this state to observe this day with appropriate events.

POW/MIA Vigils

Northeast POW/MIA Network

POW/MIA VIGIL
EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 PM
HESKY PARK MEREDITH, NH
For more information ~ northeastpowmianetwork@gmail.com

Northeast POW/MIA Network in Vermont

POW/MIA VIGIL
EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 PM
Veterans Park
Fairhaven, Vermont

Monthly POW/MIA Vigil in Manchester, NH
1st. Wednesday of the Month @ 7:00pm
Veteran's Park, Elm Street
Manchester, NH

POW/MIA Vigil Portsmouth, NH
This is a Group dedicated to the remembrance of our POW's and MIA's.
We hold the Vigil on the 4th Tuesday of every month
at Langdon Park in Portsmouth, NH at 7:00 pm

POW/MIA Vigil Salem, NH
1st Friday of the every month at 7:00 pm
Pine Grove Cemetery
Salem, NH