POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony

The State of Alabama's POW-MIA Remembrance Committee hosted the 2025 POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremony on the south lawn of the state Capital on Saturday September 20, 2025. The Committee is composed of Veteran Service Organizations (VSO), local and state government agencies and Veteran's Auxiliary units. The Annual Ceremony is presented to keep the citizens of Alabama aware of our lost and missing service members and to honor those who were held captive as Prisoners of War. At this time over 1,100 service members from Alabama have not returned from the conflicts in which they served. We will remember until they are found and accounted for, and our families deserve to know the final resting places of their loved ones.

The ceremony featured the delivery of the POW-MIA flag by the American Legion Motorcycle riders. Prior to the POW-MIA flag reaching the Capitol grounds, it had traveled around the northern part of the state, and it was raised and flown on flag poles in Fultondale, Haleyville, Florence, Decatur, Huntsville, Scottsboro, Henagar, Ft. Payne, Jacksonville, Bynum, Talladega, Lineville, Millbrook and Prattville.

Once the POW-MIA flag arrived on the grounds of the state Capitol, the ceremonies began. The VFW Department of Alabama Color Guard opened with presenting the American Flag, and subsequently it posted the American Flag with the Service Branch flags on display. Duke Martin, Chaplain, Department of Alabama American Legion, opened the ceremony with prayer. VSO leaders and other dignitaries were recognized as attendees of the ceremony by the moderator, Chuck Moore of the Marine Corps League.

Brigadier General, Retired Jeffery L. Newton, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, welcomed the assembled and read the proclamation from Governor Kay Ivey proclaiming POW-MIA week in Alabama. Active duty military members from the Army, Captain Micaela Tierce, Marine Corps, Corporal Andreus Baker, Navy, Hospital Man 1 Dante Fuller, Air Force Staff Sergeant Stephanie Mendoza and Coast Guard IT Specialist 2 Stephen Tidwell who are all assigned to the Montgomery MEPS Eastern Sector honored the Missing in Action from their service branch with placards displaying the number of missing waiting to be located and returned to Alabama. As a medley of military service songs was played, the Active-Duty Military members raised their placard, and members of the audience who served in that branch stood to be recognized. The service members then proceeded to the State of Alabama Capitol flag pole and raised the POW-MIA flag on the state pole as authorized by the US Congress and the Alabama Legislature on this occasion. Mrs. Lela Brown sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic and God Bless America. Mrs. Brown has honored the guests at the POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremonies for many years with her voice and patriotism.

State House of Representatives, District 77, retired First Sergeant, United States Army, Kenneth Paschal, was the keynote Speaker. 1st Sergeant Paschal has served as the sponsor of the POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremonies on the Capital Grounds for many years. 1st Sergeant Paschal inspired the attendees to remember the missing, honor the POWs and never forget the work that is needed to do to account for every American military member who is waiting to be found and brought home.

Linda Roloff VFW Auxiliary and her honor guard presented the Missing Man Table ceremony. Linda and her team have received National Recognition for their Missing Man Table presentation including an invitation from the U.S. Naval Academy to perform the ceremony at the Academy.

Wreaths were placed by the American Legion Auxiliary, The VFW Auxiliary, and Gold Star Wives Association. Roses were presented by Pat Jeffries of the Marine Corps League to families of the Missing, Gold Star Families, and POW families. The Ceremonies were concluded with the playing of Taps.