Whereas, POWs and MIAs have earned a special place in the hearts of all Americans; and,

Whereas, The loss of a loved one is tragic under any circumstance, but the pain and suffering experienced by the families of our servicemen and women held in action or missing in action is magnified when the fate of the loved one is unknown; and,

Whereas, More than 4,400 American military personnel remain missing from World War I, 78,000 remain missing from World War II, 8,100 remain missing from the Korean War, 1,773 remain missing from the Vietnam War, 125 remain missing from the Cold War, 1 is missing from the Persian Gulf War, and 3 remain missing from Operation Iraqi Freedom; and,

Whereas, This number includes 365 Michigan servicemen from the Korean War, 53 from the Vietnam War, and 4 from the Cold War and two Michigan servicemen from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Specialist Ahmed Altaie and Private Byron Fouty, and their family, friends and fellow veterans still endure uncertainty; and,

Whereas, We are profoundly grateful for the recent identification and return of Major Robert Gantham Lapham, United States Air Force of Marshall, Michigan, and Chief Petty Officer Roland Robert Pineau, United States Navy of Berkley, Michigan; and,

Whereas, The strength and fidelity of family and friends of these brave Americans; their cause-an unwavering dedication to leave no American soldier on the battlefield-is our cause; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 21, 2007, as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Michigan, and I encourage all citizens to recognize the plight of our POWs/MIAs, and support our nation's efforts to obtain the fullest possible accounting of those who remain missing.