The "Duty to Remember" is an interdisciplinary scholarly project using engaged learning that educates audiences about the Korean and Vietnam Wars through the philosophical notion of memory (mnemonic) duties, and how training in philosophy helped Admiral James Bond Stockdale (1923-2005) during his captivity. In short, this is an "applied philosophy" project that is rooted in stories of the Korean and Vietnam wars.

To provide context for these themes, we focus on a key segment of the history of the Vietnam War (1955-1975) - the story about families, and specifically the wives and mothers of servicemen who went missing in Southeast Asia. Demanding an accounting of their husbands, the wives were told to keep quiet by the U.S. Government. Their response? To organize into a formidable coalition called The National League of Families, which pressed the United States to comply with the moral and legal obligations found in the 3d Geneva Convention which pertains to the humane treatment of Prisoners of War. Admiral Stockdale's wife, Sybil, organized the first meeting of this organization. The text "You are Not Forgotten" written by Evelyn Grubb (1931-2005) and Carol Jose (who passed in 2020), is the core text for "entering the forest" of how the Vietnam War affected families. You can see Carol Jose discussing the book here. The book not only tells of the harrowing ordeal of the Grubb family, but also of the origins of the familiar black and white POW/MIA flag. This stark flag has its origins in the movement of the families of the missing, and in the persistent, non-violent agitation of the women who comprised the National League of Families. The empathy and fortitude that these women possessed are among the treasures that help in the building of a true democracy where all voices are heard. Their work reminds us of the duties of us all to remember, to hear, and to never forget the sacrifice of individuals and their families. We are indebted to these civilians for using their political voices to move our country to a more humane plane.

The Korean War, known in the U.S. as "The Forgotten War" is also part of this project. We "enter the forest" of the Korean War through the story of Pfc John Albert Shelemba of Hamtramck Michigan. PFC went missing in action on July 20, 1950 during the fierce battle of Taejon during the beginning of the Korean War (1950-1953). Using science, forensic anthropology and other archival research techniques, he was finally identified in 2019 by the Korean War Identification Project of the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency). The Korean War has not ended, only a cease fire has been declared. Former President Moon Jae-In of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) tried to formally end the Korean War. The United States has expressed concerns over ending the war.

Central Michigan University first observed POW/MIA National Recognition Day in 2020 in order to educate our community about important issues of individual, national and international ethics. Faculty and students from the Department of Philosophy, Anthropology and Religion worked with the Department of Military Science & Leadership/CMU Army ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Corps) Program, and CMU's Veterans’ Resource Center to produce a multidimensional educational experience. The POW/MIA flag was raised and lowered on October 1, the 1 year anniversary of when the DPAA publicly announced Pfc John Shelemba’s identification. Additionally, the Missing Man table was set up in Warriner Hall. 2024 marks 5 years of this tradition. Over the years, podcasts, videos and other materials were produced with the family of PFC Shelemba and the team that identified him (discussed above). Additionally, materials were created with the support of Evelyn and Newk Grubb's family. These materials and more can be accessed at: dutytoremember.com. In 2024, the Department of Philosophy, Anthropology and Religion offered an interdisciplinary “Pop Up Class” titled “The Ethics of Memory,” which focuses on the stories of the Shelemba and Grubb families and current initiatives related to the Duty to Remember.

The first recognition by the U.S. Government for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action was established by President Nixon who proclaimed a “National Week of Concern for Americans who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action” from March 26 through April 1, 1972. Subsequent Presidents recognized additional dates throughout the following decades, but in 1986 the third Friday in September was designated as National POW/MIA Recognition Day by President Reagan.