GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - A local veterans organization honored Vietnam War POW/MIA's in a solemn ceremony on Friday night. Each year, the third Friday of September is set aside to honor the sacrifices of POW/MIA's. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 224 group held their ceremony outside the Brown County courthouse at the POW/MIA veteran memorial there. There are 26 Vietnam War POW/MIA's from Wisconsin. The group lit a candle to honor each one of them and read off their names. ZaRonis Pizza in Oshkosh celebrates grand reopening, featuring weekend festivities "It's just something that we need to do to recognize those who weren't able to come back and the families that haven't had closure," said Bill Zelazoski who is the treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 224 group. For one of the veterans in attendance at the ceremony, one of the names on the candles had an extra bit of significance. "Edwin James Fickler we called him Jimmy just a fantastic friend," said Ken Wingender. Wingender said he knew Fickler in college before they both went into the military and fought in the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, Fickler never came home and is still listed as one of Wisconsin's unaccounted for POW/MIA veterans. During the ceremony, Wingender got to carry Fickler's candle something he said was a tremendous honor. "Lifted the candle to him and we talked," said Wingender. "(I told him) Jimmy I miss you, Jimmy I miss you, you were a great friend." Organizers said it's their duty to never forget the ones who are still missing. Fox Cities Marathon’s Race Weekend kicks off with Huggies Diaper Dash in Appleton "It means a tremendous amount, it's fantastic that I can do this in remembrance of him (Fickler) and hopefully he'll be found someday and come back home," said Wingender. About 75 people came out to the ceremony outside of the Brown County courthouse on Friday evening. Former president Jimmy Carter established National POW/MIA Recognition Day in 1979 for the third Friday of September.