EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 23 -- The Los Angeles Air Force Base issued the following news release:
Silhouetted against the early morning sun, runners from across Southern California gathered to launch the 17th annual POW/MIA Memorial Run at U.S. Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach on Terminal Island, San Pedro, California. On Sept. 17, a black-and-white flag snapped in the sea breeze, and a ceremonial torch flickered to life, honoring prisoners of war and service members missing in action who refuse to be forgotten.
First recognized by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 following the Vietnam War, POW/MIA Recognition Day emerged after military families lobbied the federal government to account for the roughly 700 service members held captiv...