A monument to American prisoners of war and those missing in action was dedicated in a solemn ceremony at the capitol campus on September 16, 1988. An all night vigil, followed by the release of commemorative balloons, followed the ceremony. Recognition was also given to the POW/MIA flag that is flown regularly on one of three flagpoles near the Legislative Building.

The POW/MIA monument was originally created as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and was dedicated in 1982. When the larger Vietnam memorial was dedicated, the original marble monument was refitted with a new granite top inscribed with words honoring POWs and MIAs, and was rededicated in 1988.

The POW/MIA monument is a result of legislative action spearheaded by several organizations involved in POW/MIA activities. The $1,100 cost to convert the monument came from the Department of General Administration budget.