By Steve Wilson // September 15, 2026 - Space Coast Daily
Will Honor POW/MIAs for National POW/MIA Recognition Day September 18
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Friday, September 18, 2026, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. On that day, Space Coast Daily will be posting an article with multiple quotes contributed by individuals from around the county and the country. One of the largest Recognition Day events will take place in Jacksonville, Florida, on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19.
This very special two-day event will include a 24-hour Remembrance Vigil starting at noon on Friday and concluding at noon on Saturday. During this time, volunteers will carry the POW/MIA flag, non-stop. This is one of many events planned over the two-day period. The vigil and two-day activities will be held at the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum’s Chapel of the High-Speed Pass, 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida, 32221.
Three individuals affiliated with the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum shared their thoughts on the importance of this day.
CAPT Sam Houston, USN, (Ret) Chairman of the Board, National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum – “The fact that the concept for the iconic black and white POW/MIA flag originated in Jacksonville brings closer to home the families that are still waiting for their loved ones to come home! National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a reminder that our nation is committed to the fact that no service member will ever be left behind nor forgotten.
It brings back memories of the time I served in Vietnam, and I can honestly say there were some fond memories, and some not so fond as would be expected in a war zone! It’s also a reminder of the excellent efforts DPAA is doing in bringing our missing services members home to their loved ones, who will finally realize the end of decades of uncertainty and find some sense of peace and comfort.
Finally, it is a time for all of us to reflect on the sacrifices that our military men and women endure while serving our great country!”
Suzanne Hoff Ogawa, MIA daughter of Michael G. Hoff – “My father has been MIA since 1970, and this is a very important day to remember all that are still missing and unaccounted for and to educate and bring awareness of this matter to others. It is a reminder to our government that we will not forget and are still hoping our loved ones are accounted for and brought home.
My father was stationed at NAS Cecil Field when he deployed, and my mother raised money and had the first memorial built there for all the servicemen and families affected by this war. My mother, in her fight for answers had the idea for the POW/MIA flag (originally a banner) and contacted Annin flag company whose graphic designer, Newt Heisley, himself a WWII vet, designed it. Her contribution was to keep it black and white, that was the POW uniforms.
This banner was adopted by the National League of families in 1972 and under the guidance of the League was changed to a flag. This is the only other national flag we have today besides Old Glory.”
Pam Cain, National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum, Board of Directors/Advisor – “The POW/MIA issue and the fate of our missing and POWs has been part of my life since 1966, when my father, (then) Maj Oscar Mauterer, USAF, was shot down over Laos. Though he parachuted and was confirmed to have reached the ground, he was never a POW but is still missing and unaccounted for to this day….60 years.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a reminder to our nation that almost 81,000 American heroes are still missing, unaccounted for and need to be returned to the country they sacrificed all for. The process of finding, returning and identifying our missing is tedious, very expensive and not even known to many. The 3rd Friday in September needs to be a date when all of us re-commit, re-energize and remain determined to get home as many of our missing as possible. We must be undaunted by time and undeterred by challenges!
My father died for his country; he fought because of his love of country, integrity and obligation to defend our freedoms. My family has lived with uncertainty for too long; what was his fate? Where is he? He has not come home and that homecoming is long overdue. Each of our missing has his own story. Those stories need to be told. Remembered. Honored. This day also commemorates the success stories: the POWs who have returned home to their country and families, the MIAs who have been found and returned home to their families – and had that funeral and peace from knowing.
For me personally, the day will be shared with others who care and know how vital it is to continue the mission. At the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum, Jacksonville, FL, there will be 2 days of events, beginning with a 24-hour Vigil, where the POW/MIA flag will be carried in a tribute of unwavering resolve. I will be walking, to symbolize the ongoing search for answers and to express hope for my Dad’s return along with that of others. As always, there will be some tears; I knew my Dad and lived through so many of his birthdays, holidays, my wedding day and other special family moments without him. My pride in his accomplishments will never diminish. Neither will my love and efforts to get him home! Recognition Day provides me with resilience and strength so I can continue seeking answers and sharing his and others’ stories.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 27 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
