For veterans, military families, and patriotic Americans, remembrance is more than a tradition. It is a responsibility. The National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum, led by Executive Director Edmund (Ed) Turner, is working to establish a national place of honor for former Prisoners of War and U.S. service members who remain Missing in Action and unaccounted for.
As part of Buzz on Veterans, this mission raises an important question: how do we preserve the stories of those who served, honor those who endured captivity, and ensure the nation never forgets those who have not yet come home?
A National Mission Rooted in Remembrance
The purpose of the National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum is to honor all former Prisoners of War, over 140,000 U.S. service members, and to commemorate the more than 80,000 U.S. service members still Missing in Action and unaccounted for from World War II to the present.
The vision is to create both a historic landmark and a national destination. For visitors from across the country, the memorial and museum are intended to serve as a place of remembrance, education, and inspiration.
Why a National POW/MIA Memorial Matters
At present, there is no national memorial dedicated to all unaccounted-for U.S. service members Missing in Action. That makes the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum a first-of-its-kind effort with deep meaning for veterans, families, and communities nationwide.
A national POW/MIA memorial provides a visible reminder that service and sacrifice do not fade with time. It also creates a place where future generations can better understand the cost of freedom and the enduring commitment to those who have not returned.
Honoring Former Prisoners of War
Former Prisoners of War represent extraordinary resilience, courage, and sacrifice. Their stories are part of America’s military history and deserve to be preserved with dignity. A national memorial and museum can help ensure their experiences remain part of the public memory.
Commemorating Those Still Missing
For the families of service members who remain unaccounted for, remembrance carries a deeply personal meaning. The National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum aims to provide a place where their loved ones are recognized, honored, and never forgotten.
Why Jacksonville Is Part of the Story
One of the central questions connected to this effort is: why Jacksonville for the location of the National POW-MIA Memorial?
The memorial is rightfully positioned as a national destination in Jacksonville, Florida. Through Cecil Field POW/MIA Memorial, Inc., the project is connected to a broader vision of building a place that can welcome veterans, families, educators, students, and visitors from across the country.
For Jacksonville, this effort represents more than a local landmark. It is an opportunity to help carry a national message of honor, remembrance, and education.
Leadership Shaped by Service
Edmund (Ed) Turner serves as Executive Director of the National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum. A veteran himself, Turner describes his involvement as another way to give back after his second retirement.
His military background continues to shape the way he approaches leadership and mission. After retiring from the Navy, a government contracting company hired him to manage international military training programs. Although briefing military leadership had been a standard practice while he was in uniform, he quickly learned that, as a civilian, credibility had to be earned anew.
That lesson is especially relevant for nonprofit and veteran-focused work. Trust is built through consistent action, clear communication, and visible progress.
Defining Success Through Visible Progress
For Turner, success is defined by visible progress and by continuing to build on the plan laid out by the project’s originators.
That definition reflects the steady, mission-driven nature of the National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum. Large, meaningful projects are built step by step. Each milestone helps move the vision closer to becoming a lasting place of remembrance for the nation.
What Veterans and Supporters Can Take From This Mission
The National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum offers practical meaning for anyone who cares about military service, history, and remembrance.
Remembering Is an Active Commitment
Honoring POWs and those Missing in Action is not limited to a single day or ceremony. It is an ongoing commitment to learn their stories, speak their names, and support efforts that preserve their legacy.
Education Strengthens Appreciation
A memorial and museum can help visitors better understand service members’ experiences and the sacrifices made by military families. Education turns remembrance into lasting public awareness.
Community Support Helps Carry the Mission Forward
Veterans, families, civic leaders, educators, and community members all play a role in keeping the POW/MIA mission visible. By learning about the project and sharing its purpose, supporters can help expand awareness of this national effort.
Buzz on Veterans Spotlight
Edmund (Ed) Turner is scheduled to appear on Buzz on Veterans on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM. The conversation will focus on the National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum and the importance of creating a dedicated national place of honor for America’s former Prisoners of War and unaccounted-for service members.
Buzz on Veterans highlights voices and organizations serving the veteran community, and this conversation brings attention to a mission that speaks directly to service, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Honoring the Promise to Never Forget
The National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum is more than a project. It is a national commitment to honor former Prisoners of War, remember those still Missing in Action, and educate future generations about the service members who have given so much.
For veterans and military families, the phrase never forget carries weight. Through this effort in Jacksonville, that promise has a place to stand, a story to tell, and a future to build.
Learn more about the National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum and follow the mission at https://powmiamemorial.org.
