On behalf of the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum, we want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make our 2026 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 24-Hour Remembrance Vigil & Community Tribute such a meaningful and memorable event.
This weekend was about one thing above all else: remembering and honoring our nation’s Prisoners of War, those who remain Missing in Action, and the families who have carried their absence for generations.
For 24 continuous hours, individuals, families, veterans, military members, organizations and community groups carried the POW/MIA flag in remembrance. Every person who took a turn carrying that flag helped keep a promise that is at the very heart of our mission:
You Are Not Forgotten.
To every person who participated in the Vigil — whether you walked during the heat of the day, late into the night, in the early morning hours or alongside family and friends — thank you. Your time, your footsteps and your commitment gave that promise meaning.
To the American Legion Riders and everyone who participated in the 7 Bridges Ride, thank you for once again showing the strength and dedication of our veteran community and for making your arrival such a special part of the day.
To our active-duty military personnel, veterans, military organizations, Sea Cadets, Rolling Thunder members, community organizations and civic partners, thank you for standing alongside us in remembrance.
To our sponsors and supporters, your generosity made this event possible. Your support provided much more than the necessities of putting on an event — it helped create an opportunity for an entire community to come together, learn, remember and honor.
To the Dreamland Squadron, our musicians and performers, exhibitors, organizations, vendors and everyone who contributed their talents and resources, thank you for adding so much to the experience.
And to our volunteers — the people working behind the scenes, setting up, coordinating participants, greeting guests, helping with food and activities, answering questions, directing traffic, cleaning up and handling the countless things most people never see — we simply could not have done this without you.
Most importantly, thank you to every guest who joined us through the weekend.
Whether you stayed for a few minutes or several hours, watched the flyover, welcomed the riders, toured the museum, participated in the Vigil, spoke with a veteran, brought your children or simply stood quietly and remembered — you became part of the mission.
The success of this event was not measured only by attendance or participation. It was measured by the people who stopped to listen, the stories that were shared, the names that were remembered, the flag that continued moving for 24 hours, and the community that came together to make sure the sacrifices of our POWs and MIAs are never forgotten.
We are incredibly grateful for the support shown to the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum and for everyone who helped make our first 24-Hour Remembrance Vigil something truly special.
We look forward to building upon it in the years ahead.
Until every one of them is home, we will continue to remember.
Never Forgotten. Always Remembered.
With our deepest gratitude,
National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum
Jacksonville, Florida
