Twelve veterans who had been prisoners of war stood to loud applause Friday during a National POW/MIA Recognition Day at a breakfast hosted by John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks.

More than 30 veterans and Veterans Affairs officials honored the experiences endured by prisoners of war and 84,000 service personnel still missing in action from battles dating back to World War II.

The Northern Nevada POWs had suffered capture and imprisonment in a variety of countries including Japan, Germany, Holland, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Korea and the Philippines.

World War II veteran John Perkowski, now 86, of Gardnerville, was captured when the forces of U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur surrendered on Corregidor Island after staving off a Japanese invasion into Manila Bay for five months. Perkowski endured slave labor conditions and scarce rations during his 40 months as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and Japan.

He and his fellow soldiers endured thirst and drank seawater. He tolerated a year of forced labor in a coal mine in Japan. He said he kept up his spirits through subtle sabotage like weakening the structure of the mine.

"At times, my weight was down to 90 pounds and when I was liberated, it was 110 pounds," Perkowski said. "Would you believe it, I was in good condition compared to some of them."

MacArthur escaped to Australia where he delivered a speech that came to signify America's commitment to their troops and their allies, Kurt Schlegelmilch, representing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said in a speech Friday.

"His famous quote, 'I shall return,' became one of history's famous promises," he said.

Air Force Capt. Mary Olsen, speaking on behalf of the Department of Defense POW/

Missing Personnel Office, said about 600 are dedicated to the mission of bringing home veterans who had been declared missing in action.

"We're, on an almost weekly basis, recovering individuals who went missing and returning them to their families," Olsen said. "A day like National POW/MIA Recognition Day reminds us of the incredible sacrifices that our service members made decades ago. Not only that, but their families, too, who are still suffering the loss of their loved ones."