POW-MIA Monument and Ceremony 2023

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department in Middleton is home to the state’s only monument bearing the name of each of the brave Massachusetts POW-MIAs. Each year, we host a ceremony on National POW-MIA Recognition Day to remember their service.

The ceremony includes the solemn reading of each of their names followed by the ringing of a bell, as well as a presentation of the Missing Man table to honor their service.

Here are some interesting facts about the monument:

• Bears the names of 65 Bay State servicemen reported Missing in Action in Vietnam.
• The remains of 26 have been returned to their family.
• Inmates initiated efforts for this monument in 1993 and it was erected in 1994.
• Stands 7 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 10 inches deep.
• Always open to the public for viewing.

Students from the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School generously donated their time to produce a video of our 2022 ceremony. Watch by CLICKING THE PICTURE BELOW.