Photo courtesy of Sen. Scott Hutchinson Sen. Scott Hutchinson, right, with retired U.S. Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch and Sen. Devlin Robinson at the state Capitol. Lynch spoke to the Senate to commemorate POW/MIA Day earlier this month.

There are over 81,000 American service personnel that are still considered Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.

And there are still efforts underway to bring them home.

Congressman Glenn Thompson entered a bi-partisan resolution earlier this month that aims “to ensure transparency and efficiency with countries that enter into future trade deals with the United States, in the research and recovery efforts of our nation’s missing service members.”

“As a father of a wounded warrior, I am thankful every day my son returned home safely,” Thompson said. “For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, their families and loved ones deserve no less than our greatest efforts for recovery.

“This bipartisan resolution makes it clear we as Americans take promises to our service members very seriously and we are hopeful our trade partners will join in our ongoing recovery efforts.”

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was Sept. 15 and commemorated at the state Capitol.

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson said he heard from retired U.S. Army Pfc Jessica Lynch, who addressed the Senate to commemorate that day.

Lynch was captured while serving in Iraq in 2003, held captive by Iraqi forces. A special forces operation was launched to rescue her.

“Lynch became the first American POW to be successfully rescued since World War II,” Hutchinson said in an update. “Nearly 82,000 Americans are still missing in action today.”

“Since Iraq, Lynch continued her education, became a mother and teacher, starred in a film and wrote a book,” Hutchinson said. “She has dealt with adversity and overcome it with courage and strength – she is an inspiration to me and many others.”