POW MIA Council of Indianapolis, Inc.

🇺🇸 Today, on National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we honor the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of America’s prisoners of war. 🇺🇸

These brave men and women endured unimaginable hardships in captivity, yet their resilience, loyalty, and unbreakable spirit never wavered. These heroes remind us what it means to serve with honor — even in the face of the most difficult circumstances.

Observed on April 9, this day marks the anniversary of the start of the Bataan Death March in 1942 — when tens of thousands of American service members were forced to march over 60 brutal miles as prisoners of the Japanese army. Many did not survive, but their strength and resilience became a powerful symbol of American bravery and endurance.

To all former POWs and their families: we see you, we thank you, and we will never forget your sacrifice. You are true American heroes. 🕊️
Shared from Rolling Thunder Indiana One.

🇺🇸 Save the Date - September 18, 2026 🇺🇸
Please join Indiana citizens as we honor Indiana’s POW/MIAs.
The annual remembrance ceremony for these American Patriots will be held at the Indiana War Memorial, 55 East Michigan, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204, at Noon.

🇺🇸 Friday, September 19, 2025 you are invited to attend the Indianapolis POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony at 12:00 noon, held at the Indiana War Memorial, 55 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, In 46204. The public is invited to attend this annual event as we honor these Patriot Americans and their families. 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 POW/MIA Watchfire 🇺🇸
The annual POW/MIA Watchfire Ceremony, hosted by the Indianapolis POW/MIA Council will be held Thursday evening, September 18, 2025 at the Indiana War Memorial.

Beginning at 4:30 pm youth groups will place over 1700 flags on the Indiana War Memorial grounds in remembrance of Indiana’s Missing in Action (MIA).

Moving into Pershing Auditorium of the War Memorial, a candlelight “watchfire” will be illuminated at 6:30 pm. Every Indiana MIA’s name from WWII to present will be read by youth as their picture (if available) is projected on a large screen. Youth over the age of 12 are invited to participate in the reading of names.

Tours of the museum will be provided for all ages and includes live enactors for each military period beginning with the American Revolution to today. Bring your children for a living experience in patriotism and history. Parents are invited to tour with their children. This event is open to the public.

🇺🇸 POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony 🇺🇸
The public is invited to attend the annual POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony on Friday, September 19th at the Indiana War Memorial. The ceremony will be held in historic Pershing Auditorium of the War Memoria.
The ceremony begins at 12:00 noon with a pre-ceremonial concert by the 38th Infantry Division Band.

This ceremony was uniquely created for citizens of Indiana to honor, thank and recognize the sacrifices made by former Indiana Prisoners of War and their families, as well as the families of Indiana’s Missing in Action.

With the support of the Indiana National Guard ceremonies team, representatives from all military service branches, the City of Indianapolis, and the State of Indiana, the ceremony was The Council fully understands the importance of this remembrance to so many and feels strongly about our ongoing commitment to those who have given so much.

This year’s keynote speaker is Robert Apodaco, a decorated Air Force veteran and son, who is a living testament to the power of remembrance, resilience, and love. His story reminds us that behind every name etched in stone is a family, a legacy, and a sacred duty we all share.

During a Memorial Day game at SunTrust Park, a Junior ROTC cadet from Parkview High School stood at attention beside a memorial honoring more than 92,000 soldiers who are missing.

As rain began to fall, a Braves fan stepped forward and held an umbrella over the cadet, shielding him while he continued his post. The small gesture spoke volumes about respect and gratitude.

The moment, captured in a photo, quickly went viral and touched hearts across the country.

📸 Credit: Atlanta Braves / Twitter

If you have a family member or friend who was in the military and listed as missing in action, you will want to attend this great information night at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis on Sept. 12. Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-americas-promise-bringing-our-mias-home-tickets-1527228765349?aff=oddtdtcreator

ALL YOUTH IN YOUR FAMILY, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY.....JOIN US

You are cordially invited to attend this year’s “Watchfire” ceremony, a solemn unique memorial service held in Indianapolis, honoring former Indiana Prisoners of War and Missing in Action service members from World War II to present day.

The program will begin outdoors Thursday evening, September 18th, 2025, on the north side of the Indiana War Memorial (IWM), 55 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN, with placement of 1,700+ flags representing one for each of Indiana’s still Missing in Action from WWII through Vietnam War. Flag placement will begin at 4:30 pm. At the conclusion of flag placement, approximately 6:00 pm, the program will continue indoors in historic Pershing Auditorium for the formal ceremony, concluding at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Indoors the event will include a youth color guard, youth led pledge to the Flag of the United States of America, invocation, introductory remarks about the purpose of this historic Indiana event, youth led special readings interspersed during the reading of over 1,700 Indiana MIA names. As the names are read, a photo of the MIA (if available) will display on a large screen.

When youth are not reading names, activities are planned to provide them the opportunity to visit conflict period rooms within the museum to hear a brief overview of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and Global War of Terror. Volunteers will be stationed in each room in period clothing. The youth will receive a passport book to be stamped as they visit each exhibit.

Parents are encouraged to attend and photograph their young person’s participation.

We hope that you will consider the impact this patriotic opportunity will offer young people, as they experience the magnitude of those who gave their last full measure of devotion to future generations of Americans.

Please join us in honoring this unique group; our nation’s veterans and their families. We thank you for your support and look forward to your participation.

INDIANAPOLIS POW/MIA COUNCIL, INC.

🇺🇸 Saturday, August 23rd, the Indianapolis POW/MIA Council participated with a booth at the Cruise Indy Car Show in Carmel, to further community awareness of the upcoming POW/MIA Day, Friday, September 19,2025, and in remembrance of Indiana’s POW/MIAS and their families. Thank you to the Cruise Indy organization for their support of Indiana’s POW/MIA families. 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 Monday, July 28th, members on the Indianapolis POW/MIA Council volunteered at the Avon Culver’s restaurant, delivering food orders with a percentage of the evening’s sales being donated by Culver’s to the Council’s mission of support and rememberance of Indiana’s POW/ MIAs and their families. Thank you to the Avon Culver’s for their outstanding community support each year! 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 We remember them today.🇺🇸