RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia War Memorial held a poignant ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20 to honor six service members who were previously classified as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). This annual event, which has taken place since 1979, emphasizes the sacrifices made by those who served in the military. At the memorial, which serves as a tribute to the state’s veterans, the names of these six Virginians were commemorated with gold stars, marking their identification after years of uncertainty. These individuals fought during World War II and the Korean War, and had their remains recovered or identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) within the past year. Service members considered MIA means they have never been found. About 82,000 service members in the United States are considered MIA, with 1,200 of those members reportedly from Virginia. The six Virginia service members who are no longer listed as MIAs are: Sergeant Mayburn Hudson, U.S. Army, WWII Mess Attendant 3rd Class David Walker, U.S. Navy, WWII Private First-Class Harold D. Wilder, U.S. Army, Korea Private First-Class Robert J. Wright, Jr., U.S. Army, Korea Private First-Class Mose E. Vance, U.S. Army, WWII Staff Sergeant Hubert Yeary, U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII According to Clay Mountcastle, director of the Virginia War Memorial, this year stands out as particularly significant. Usually, the memorial sees one or two individuals identified each year, but this year, they were able to honor six. This surge in identifications underscores the ongoing efforts to bring closure to families affected by the loss of their loved ones. Mountcastle stressed the importance of recognizing these service members, even decades after their deaths. "Even though it's been, in some cases, over 80 years, it's still very important for the family members who haven't met this person in most cases, that they have been identified. They can have that closure. They don't have to wonder what exactly happened, or will they make it home," Mountcastle said. The Virginia War Memorial encourages the public to engage with the ongoing exhibitions and special screenings available until Tuesday, Sept. 24, which will offer further insights into the stories of these brave individuals. A "Missing Man Table" has also been set up at the memorial to honor those who never made it home and to remember their absence at the dinner table. Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered all Virginia flags to be flown at full staff on public buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth on Friday, Sept. 20 for National POW/MIA Recognition Day. According to the Governor’s Office, all agencies and institutions of the Commonwealth were also encouraged to display the POW/MIA flag at full staff on public buildings on Friday.