Niles community honors POW, MIA service members with 24-hour vigil

NILES A 24-hour vigil in Niles aimed to honor service members deemed missing in action or prisoners of war.

The 17th annual POW/MIA Recognition Day took place at the Circle Memorial Park in Niles from Thursday to Friday at midnight.

Navy and Marine Corps veteran, Don Isenberg, told 21 News that during the week of September 8, 2025, the remains of a Vietnam soldier were returned home.

"As of last week, which has been fifty years since Vietnam ended, we did actually be able to bring back remains of one of our soldiers, so that always gives us the hope," said Isenberg.

Isenberg also said that successfully bringing soldiers back home helps bring closure to families.

"Respect for the soldier or airman, so they can come home and be buried on the soil that they're fighting for, and closure for the families," said Isenberg.

Isenberg said that while there is no officially released number of how many soldiers are still missing in action or are prisoners of war, the number was close to 2,500 people when the war ended.

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