Help Veterans on National POW/MIA Recognition Day

To observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day, attend a local memorial event, visit the grave of a veteran or spend some personal time with a former POW or veteran. Veterans appreciate the recognition; visit the local veterans home or hospital to spread good cheer or contribute to veterans. ClothingDonations.org makes it easy to #donate to #veterans causes — simply contact it to arrange a #free #donation #pickup of used #clothing and #household goods. We’ll resell that lightly used, unwanted stuff and give the money to a range of programs that help veterans of every U.S. conflict. #POW/MIA

The Search for MIA Service Members Continues

Since 1973, the remains of more than 1,000 Americans killed during the Vietnam War have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Some 1,578 Americans still remain unaccounted-for, including hundreds that may be non-recoverable — deceased without recoverable remains. However, DPAA continues to work with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to investigate leads and locate MIAs, successfully identifying five Vietnam-era service members since National POW/MIA Recognition Day last year. #POW/MIA

VVA’s National POW/MIA Recognition Day Proclamation

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) issued a proclamation on National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2022, promising to “continue the righteous work of bringing home our heroes who remain unaccounted for. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we pledge to seek out answers for the families of service members still missing in action [and] commit to doing all in our power to identify and recover America’s missing sons and daughters. And we pay tribute to former prisoners of war — individuals who exhibited remarkable courage, love of country, and devotion to duty to protect our Nation’s safety and freedoms.” #POW/MIA

Observing National POW/MIA Recognition Day

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is held on the third Friday of September to recognize former prisoners of war and those still missing and unaccounted for from all U.S. conflicts. Ceremonies are held throughout the country and around the world on military installations, ships at sea and other locations. The POW Committee of Michigan, for example, will hold a ceremony at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens on Sept. 15 featuring a keynote speech from American Legion post commander Capt. Dennis L. Hopkins, followed by a Plaques of Honor recognition. Google “POW/MIA Recognition Day events near me” to attend a recognition your area. #POW/MIA

Celebrate Earth Day the Ecofriendly Way

Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. Themed #InvestInOurPlanet for 2022, the 52nd day of action is designed to call attention to — and limit — environmental degradation and climate change for the protection of people and ecosystems worldwide.

In 1970, the first Earth Day inspired more than 20 million Americans to demonstrate against the environmental impact of industrialization. It led directly to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and landmark legislation such as the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

Today, Earth Day is a global movement that encompasses more than 5,000 environmental groups in 193 countries; more than 1 billion people participate each year. And it’s easy to get involved at a personal or local level.

Consult Earthday.org for a map of observances throughout the world. Hundreds of events are planned for Earth Day weekend, including public rallies, in-person #cleanups and even virtual events. For example, New York City is hosting a Car-Free Earth Day.

Earth Day events are just the beginning, though. You can also protect the environment by lessening your own environmental impact on a daily basis. First, commit to reduce, reuse and recycle, Chiff says, and choose products and services based on their environmental impact.

You might spearhead a neighborhood #cleanup of discarded trash — not only will it protect wildlife, it will also beautify your surroundings. You can perform a household energy audit to save cut usage (and maybe #save a substantial amount of money).

Composting, solar power and electric cars are next-level ideas that cut greenhouse gases and often result in substantial savings. And of course, you can keep more manufactured #junk out of landfills by periodically #decluttering and contacting ClothingDonations.org for a free #donation #pickup.

It’s easy to celebrate Earth Day. But to have a real impact, make the commitment to cut your own environmental impact every day — and urge your neighbors and the companies you patronize to do the same.