Veterans, military personnel and the general public are invited to the Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial, Memorial Park, Helena, at 8 a.m. Friday for the 45th National POW-MIA Recognition Day.

Montana has 53 personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action (POW-MIA) from World War II (eight), the Korean War (27), the Vietnam War (16) and the Cold War (two), down two from previous readings, event organizers said.

Those who wish to read the 53 names of Montana POW-MIAs should gather between 7:30 and 8 a.m. to go over the process. The park is at 1203 N. Last Chance Gulch.

The observance is supported by the Fort William Henry Harrison Museum Foundation and Montana Military Museum, The American Legion Post #2 (Lewis and Clark) Voiture 718, 40 and 8 Society, Lewis & Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation, and veterans at large.

For more information or to volunteer, call Ray Read at 406-458-9847 or 406-235-0290 or email him at: [email protected].

More information is also available at the Montana Military Museum, located at the Montana National Guard Training Center, Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana. Telephone 406-324-3550 or e-mail: [email protected].