President Donald Trump has proclaimed Sept. 18 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, honoring former prisoners of war, service members still missing and families awaiting answers.
The proclamation says approximately 80,000 American service members remain missing from conflicts around the world.
The POW/MIA flag will be displayed above the White House and at designated federal buildings alongside the American flag as a reminder of the government's commitment to account for missing personnel.
Trump also highlighted the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which identifies and repatriates remains recovered from past conflicts.
The agency reached its 800th identification of remains from the Korean War last month, according to the proclamation.
The president said each identification can end decades of uncertainty for a family and allow the service member to receive military burial honors.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day also recognizes people who endured captivity and the relatives of those who remain missing.
The annual observance falls on Sept. 18 this year.
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