President Trump proclaimed Thursday as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day to honor U.S. soldiers who have been captured in conflicts abroad.
“In the course of fighting for our freedom and security, many of these heroes have been captured and often subjected to shocking conditions and unimaginable torture,” the White House said in a statement on Wednesday. “On National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we honor the more than 500,000 American warriors captured while protecting our way of life. We pay tribute to these patriots for their unwavering and unrelenting spirit.”
[Also read: Special prisoner: 75 years after he was shot down over Japan, Fiske Hanley reveals how he survived]
“I call upon Americans to observe this day by honoring the service and sacrifice of all former prisoners of war and to express our nation’s eternal gratitude for their sacrifice. I also call upon federal, state, and local government officials and organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” Trump said in his proclamation.
In a tweet Thursday, the president touted the day of recognition by praising the “unwavering and unrelenting spirit” of military personnel.
On National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we honor the more than 500,000 American warriors captured while protecting our way of life. We pay tribute to these Patriots for their unwavering and unrelenting spirit! https://t.co/KOI7Qd1pZx
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 9, 2020
Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain, slammed the president for his tweet. “John McCain is not a ‘war hero.’ He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured, let me tell you,” she said, quoting Trump from the 2016 election.
“No one has forgotten this is how you honor POW’s,” she added.
“John McCain is not a ‘war hero.’ He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured, let me tell you.”
No one has forgotten this is how you honor POW’s. https://t.co/Yp8WdhuDch
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 9, 2020
In 2019, Trump made a similar declaration to celebrate April 9 to remember POWs.
