On Friday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m., local veterans will gather on the Branford green to host a meaningful ceremony marking National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Community members are invited and encouraged to attend to the brief, but powerful, event.

Established in 1979, the day is recognized annually on the third Friday of September with a national event at The Pentagon honoring military Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA), together with military and veteran organization POW/MIA observances across the country. Last year was the first year a local ceremony was held in Branford.

The common purpose of these ceremonies is to honor those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing, said local event co-organizer Ed Masotta, a member of Branford Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12106.

The Branford event is being organized by VFW Post 12106 and Branford American Legion Post 83. In addition to discussing the significance of POW/MIA Recognition Day, the organizers plan to read aloud the names of approximately 55 MIA military members, said Masotta. The playing of Taps and an explanation of the history of National POW/MIA Day will be shared. The ceremony will also include a display and explanation of the Missing Man Table, which involves a solitary place setting to remind viewers of those fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. military members.

The Branford event is as a way to help ensure that POWs and MIAs are not forgotten, said Masotta.

“We just want people to be aware of it. It’s a small and simple ceremony to honor and remember. That’s all we want to do,” said Masotta.