May the 25, each year our nation remembers its lost children-children who have run away, been stolen away, or have been abandoned. This day has been known as National Missing Children day since May 25, 1983. On that day President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring May 25 as Missing Children’s Day.

In that proclamation, President Reagan states, ”The solution to this problem demands the attention and the cooperation of all law enforcement agencies, city, state and local. I urge all our

law enforcement agencies to

take particular notice of the

danger that threatens any child who has lost his or her home&uot;.

May 25 is the day that 6 year-old Etan

Patz disappeared from a New York City street corner on his way to school in 1979. The case remains unsolved and is a annual reminder to the nation of the plight of missing children.

On National Missing Children Day we joined with families, law enforcement officials ,and child advocates to

highlight our commitment to stopping the abduction and exploitation of children.

The Department of Justice estimates that more than 50,000 children will be victims of non-family abductions each year. The rate of recovery in such kidnappings is approximately 99 percent.

No family should ever have to experience the nightmare of having a loved one suddenly taken. The safety and well being of our children is the shared responsibility for all Americans and for any federal, state and local authorities.

In each of the past 20 years, every President of the United States has continued to proclaim May 25 as National Missing Children Day. President George W. Bush said, &uot;American must continue to work together to ensure the safety of our children.

National Missing Children Day is a reminder to the people of this Country not to forget the children who are still missing. We must renew our dedication to protect our most vulnerable citizens and our most valuable resources. Every home and school should establish a program that effectively teaches children about safety and protection measures (education). We must get involved teach our children protection safety which is age appropriate for their ages.

When an amber alert is issued for a missing child pay close attention to the information provided.

Pay attention to missing children’s poster.

National Missing Children’s Day is a day to honoring Law Enforcement and citizens from around the Country for their unprecedented cooperation in the recovery of missing and Exploited children.

The National Missing Children Day is a time to reflect on a National Tragedy. Those gone…..but not forgotten.

Virginia Hill, a Suffolk resident, has spent more than three decades in law enforcement working missing children’s cases nationwide. Visit the web site www.missingkids.com