ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer warmly greeted everyone at the annual POW-MIA Recognition Day ceremony, a touching event to honor U.S. military service members who were prisoners of war and those still missing in action.
The ceremony, which featured UCF Army ROTC cadets and the VFW Post 2093 Band, emphasized the city’s heartfelt commitment to returning prisoners of war and honoring those missing in action.
At the event, the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council presented a moving Missing Man Table, a powerful reminder of their ongoing effort to find missing military personnel.
Army Private First Class Jessica Lynch, a former POW, was the keynote speaker. Her story of resilience and courage gained fame after she was captured in Iraq and rescued by U.S. forces. Lynch was injured and captured on March 23, 2003, after her unit was ambushed, and she was rescued nine days later, marking the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II.
She was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medals. Now, she shares her inspiring story of resilience and hope with people across the country.
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