The State of Washington
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Americans have defended freedom throughout its history, and thousands have been captured in their efforts to protect our democratic way of life; and
WHEREAS, many American prisoners endured great pain and suffering at the hands of their
captors, including more than 100,000 during World War II; and
WHEREAS, April marks the 63rd anniversary of the first return of American POWs from North Korea during Operation Little Switch; and
WHEREAS, April also marks the 43rd anniversary of the end of Operation Homecoming in which our Vietnam Era POWs returned to freedom; and
WHEREAS, it has been 25 years since the release of our Gulf War I POWs; and
WHEREAS, this country has suffered the pain and sorrow of sons and daughters taken as
prisoners of war, and felt relief as they witnessed the liberation of some of these brave soldiers who had been captured; and
WHEREAS, the families of the current prisoners of war and the former prisoners of war also suffer psychological pain because of their loved ones imprisonment; and
WHEREAS, we must ensure that our former prisoners of war receive caring, appropriate
treatment for the physical and emotional scars that resulted from their confinement;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim April 9, 2016 as
Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
in Washington State, and I urge all people to join me in this special observance to recognize and appreciate the great contributions made by those who gave so much, so freely.
Signed this 25th day of March, 2016
Governor Jay Inslee