It is hard to believe there have been 142,000 Americans captured and interned as POWs since World War I. This does not include the 93,000 Americans who were lost or never recovered. There are (about 22,641) American former POWs still living. Compensation is being received by 15,367 for service injuries, or illnesses.
Public Law 97-37 was passed by Congress in 1981. It is entitled "Former Prisoners of War Benefit Act". A couple of good things came out of this. Additional diagnoses were added to the presumptive conditions list by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. They also identified certain diagnosis's as presumptive service-connected conditions for former POWs. An Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War was also established to mandate medical and dental care.
Having said that , there are still so many of our men and women in captivity. Many of the families feeling deserted by a system that can't seem to get their loved ones home. Any small act of awareness on our part makes a difference. Not only should we never forget, but also be proactive in bringing them home.
Thank you to all of you who have and still do protect our freedom and keep us safe.
