In keeping with the President and First Lady’s commitment to honor the sacrifices of all who serve - veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors - the League's POW/MIA flag was restored to its globally recognized position on top of the White House. This action reaffirms our Nation's commitment to account as fully as possible for American Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action, as well as other US personnel still unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War and wars and conflicts further past, thus ending the uncertainty of their families.
The League (EIN #23-7071242) is a tax-exempt
501(c)(3) nonprofit, also eligible for donations through
the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), #10218
501(c)(3) nonprofit, also eligible for donations through
the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), #10218
As of June 2, 2023
the number of Americans Missing and Unaccounted-for from
the Vietnam War is 1,579.
the number of Americans Missing and Unaccounted-for from
the Vietnam War is 1,579.
52nd ANNUAL MEETING AGAIN POSTPONED/BOARD MEMBERS NAMED:
Due to the significant time and effort required to deal with the legalities of restoring the League as originally formed, then having to form another nonprofit organization with a similar, but different name and structure, then succeeding in the legal restoration of the League’s original name, date of formation and nonprofit affirmation by the IRS, we did not have the time necessary to adequately plan a League annual meeting. However, the League Office (newly painted, with new flooring) is reopening today, June 1st.
Also, as called for in the League’s Bylaws, now that the original League name and status are restored, a seven-member Board of Directors is again required. Two vacancies left by resignations of the dissenting minority needed to be filled. Since
there were no more 2021-2023 candidates on the list of applicants, and in accordance with the Bylaws, two active, longtime League members with loved ones still missing were appointed by the Chairman of the Board. The two new Board Members are
Anne Holt, MIA sister from CA, and Fred Pringle, MIA son from OH. Both immediately agreed to the Chairman’s request to serve until the 2024-25 Board of Director selection moves forward in the Spring. By that time, the League’s ever-increasing membership, now comprised of both original members and the new applicants, solicited DUES FREE for the year, are being combined and updated. That process will soon be finalized and supported by the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), will provide a clearer understanding of potential influence for mission-success with the Administration, Congress and the media.
The Board deeply regrets that, given the significant legal and financial challenges we had to overcome, we did not have the time to develop the informative and constructive annual meeting that the families want and rightly deserve. On June 29-30th DPAA will hold Annual Government Briefings (AGB) at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, regarding Vietnam War accounting efforts, their stated operational priority. An in-person meeting of the League Board of Directors will be held on June 28th, and we all hope to attend the AGB. DPAA has not yet officially agreed, though we’re confident those with accounted-for relatives will be granted permission. If you have any questions, please contact the League Office: 703-465-7432; email national.league@pow-miafamilies.org.
Due to the significant time and effort required to deal with the legalities of restoring the League as originally formed, then having to form another nonprofit organization with a similar, but different name and structure, then succeeding in the legal restoration of the League’s original name, date of formation and nonprofit affirmation by the IRS, we did not have the time necessary to adequately plan a League annual meeting. However, the League Office (newly painted, with new flooring) is reopening today, June 1st.
Also, as called for in the League’s Bylaws, now that the original League name and status are restored, a seven-member Board of Directors is again required. Two vacancies left by resignations of the dissenting minority needed to be filled. Since
there were no more 2021-2023 candidates on the list of applicants, and in accordance with the Bylaws, two active, longtime League members with loved ones still missing were appointed by the Chairman of the Board. The two new Board Members are
Anne Holt, MIA sister from CA, and Fred Pringle, MIA son from OH. Both immediately agreed to the Chairman’s request to serve until the 2024-25 Board of Director selection moves forward in the Spring. By that time, the League’s ever-increasing membership, now comprised of both original members and the new applicants, solicited DUES FREE for the year, are being combined and updated. That process will soon be finalized and supported by the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), will provide a clearer understanding of potential influence for mission-success with the Administration, Congress and the media.
The Board deeply regrets that, given the significant legal and financial challenges we had to overcome, we did not have the time to develop the informative and constructive annual meeting that the families want and rightly deserve. On June 29-30th DPAA will hold Annual Government Briefings (AGB) at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, regarding Vietnam War accounting efforts, their stated operational priority. An in-person meeting of the League Board of Directors will be held on June 28th, and we all hope to attend the AGB. DPAA has not yet officially agreed, though we’re confident those with accounted-for relatives will be granted permission. If you have any questions, please contact the League Office: 703-465-7432; email national.league@pow-miafamilies.org.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES – WHOLE AGAIN!
MAY 25, 2023
The League’s full name, founding date and nonprofit 501(c)(3) status are now legally restored and fully funded! Our ability to advocate for achieving the fullest possible accounting for 1,579 Vietnam War missing. This good news provides inspiration and confidence that the League’s efforts to obtain answers on missing Americans will not only be sustained but expanded. Thanks to a solid pledge of $2M over the next five years, the League’s years of struggle to fund and sustain our accounting efforts are largely behind us, and the first year’s anonymous donation of $400.000.00 has been received and deposited.
The anonymous charitable donation resulted from the bequest of a Vietnam War Veteran intent on helping his “brotherhood.” After first explaining his strong belief in our accounting efforts, the donor made clear his support for the League, as he did the need to preserve our 50+ year history for educational purposes. The generous pledge was made due to his confidence in our record of responsible policy and its implementation, including our Archival Preservation Project. The painful decision to dissolve the League, and the need to immediately inform the POW/MIA families – those most directly impacted – prompted the incredible generosity of a caring American. All of us are deeply grateful! He has also benefitted other charitable military-related causes.
This completely unexpected news prompted an immediate need for the Board of Directors to take action to revoke the prior decision to dissolve. In accordance with League Policy on Leadership and Internal Operations, a Poll of the Board was called on the question of revoking the earlier decision to dissolve. The intention was that the League would immediately be restored to an active 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with our mission intact. Following the Board majority vote on January 31 st to dissolve the League due lack of funds to continue, on February 7 th , a third party filed with the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) in Washington, DC, a form to legally “reserve” for its own use the League’s full
organizational name when founded on May 28, 1970, at DAR Constitution Hall, adding only “LLC.” This application occurred despite official DC notice to the League that final dissolution would not take place until December 31, 2023, and also between the brief period framed by the January 31 st Board majority decision to dissolve and the February 11 th Poll of the Board to revoke dissolution.
The action to reserve the League’s name prevented efforts to fully restore it at that time and required the Board majority to approve forming a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which we officially named the “National League of Families of American Prisoners, Missing and Unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War.” The new legal name accurately included all the families for whom we’ve sought answers since our founding, thus allowing us to continue without jeopardizing our sacred historical mission. In reality, most at home and abroad know the League simply as the “National League of POW/MIA Families.” While very close to the original, the new name was sufficiently different to enable the League to move forward legally.
A specialized law firm, recommended by a long-time Board Member and implemented by the Chairman in regular communication with the full Board, and ably supported by League Administrator, worked with DC authorities to confirm the League’s “active” status and reaffirm our founding date to prevent a break in the League’s well-established history. Also mandatory was IRS confirmation of the League’s original EIN #23-7071242. Saying this affirmation was a relief is a dramatic understatement, and it didn’t come through until earlier this month, in fact May 9, 2023, to be precise!!
The League’s efforts will be assessed by the donor at the end of each year and, so long as responsible issue-focused efforts are helping bring answers and reasonably increased accounting results, another $400,000 will be donated each year until the end of five years, for a total of $2,000,000.00. (For clarity, the donor is not related to nor a close friend to anyone who was or now is missing/unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War, nor a returned Vietnam War POW, nor connected by past or present accounting-related employment.)
Challenging and frustrating as have been the recent months of confusion, the League now has ample funding to support our expanding efforts. Thankfully, and on board as this is written, is Executive Director Dr. George J. “Jay” Veith! Eager to start, Jay comes to the position highly qualified, having served as the League’s Archival Research Committee (ARC) Chairman, and with extensive knowledge of and experience in the accounting mission. He is also well known and respected by many Vietnam War POW/MIA families, researchers, authors, educators, DIA’s Stony Beach Team members, and most long-involved, committed
DPAA employees.
Now that the League has again been certified as “active” by DC officials and the IRS, all who were League members before this bizarre challenge occurred still are, but let us hear from you to update our records. We’re confident that all family members still seeking answers to end uncertainty about missing loved ones will quickly respond. Our hope is that all of you who receive this message again recognize the importance of our efforts and are willing to renew active commitment to those who serve our Nation. Membership Forms are available on the League Website and will be enclosed for subsequent hard-copy mailing by USPS. No dues required for 2023 but, of course, donations are always welcome! We must pull together to reinforce the
importance of implementing long-promised priority on our shared mission – accounting as fully as possible for
America’s POW/MIA and KIA/BNR from the Vietnam War.
This critical message is being sent to all for whom we have current email addresses and also will subsequently be sent by hard-copy, with referenced enclosures, hoping to confirm that we have current data, phone numbers and email addresses, the latter being the quickest and least expensive way to reach out and keep all apprised of current, critical information. We must signal senior US and foreign officials that we are expecting increased accounting results in keeping with longstanding reasonable expectations and DPAA’s pledge that accounting for Vietnam War missing is their highest operational priority.
Last December 12 th , I again met with Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security To Lam to convey the specific unilateral steps his government needs to take – with no further delays! We are determined to continue engaging senior foreign and US officials in all related agencies. To have confidence that increased, evidence-based results can be achieved, an objective intelligence assessment must occur soon. It is the only way to determine a reasonable “core” on which to base policy and implementation plans to obtain answers for the impacted families. The time is NOW!
When the League was formed to voice our concerns in 1970, it was because senior US officials thought they knew best …….THEY DIDN’T……, but with President Reagan’s long-established support, things finally began to change, then move forward in the 1980s. NOT SO TODAY! We need your help and support, and we’ve shown we don’t give up or succumb to unwarranted attacks or pressure. You can count on us to move forward and do everything possible to help get the answers you seek, now inspired by our new Executive Director Dr. Jay Veith. He’ll be supported by our dedicated League Administrator who stuck with us throughout this trying time to demonstrate her unwavering support and assistance. As ever hopefully…….and moving forward with focused determination………Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman of the Board
MAY 25, 2023
The League’s full name, founding date and nonprofit 501(c)(3) status are now legally restored and fully funded! Our ability to advocate for achieving the fullest possible accounting for 1,579 Vietnam War missing. This good news provides inspiration and confidence that the League’s efforts to obtain answers on missing Americans will not only be sustained but expanded. Thanks to a solid pledge of $2M over the next five years, the League’s years of struggle to fund and sustain our accounting efforts are largely behind us, and the first year’s anonymous donation of $400.000.00 has been received and deposited.
The anonymous charitable donation resulted from the bequest of a Vietnam War Veteran intent on helping his “brotherhood.” After first explaining his strong belief in our accounting efforts, the donor made clear his support for the League, as he did the need to preserve our 50+ year history for educational purposes. The generous pledge was made due to his confidence in our record of responsible policy and its implementation, including our Archival Preservation Project. The painful decision to dissolve the League, and the need to immediately inform the POW/MIA families – those most directly impacted – prompted the incredible generosity of a caring American. All of us are deeply grateful! He has also benefitted other charitable military-related causes.
This completely unexpected news prompted an immediate need for the Board of Directors to take action to revoke the prior decision to dissolve. In accordance with League Policy on Leadership and Internal Operations, a Poll of the Board was called on the question of revoking the earlier decision to dissolve. The intention was that the League would immediately be restored to an active 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with our mission intact. Following the Board majority vote on January 31 st to dissolve the League due lack of funds to continue, on February 7 th , a third party filed with the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) in Washington, DC, a form to legally “reserve” for its own use the League’s full
organizational name when founded on May 28, 1970, at DAR Constitution Hall, adding only “LLC.” This application occurred despite official DC notice to the League that final dissolution would not take place until December 31, 2023, and also between the brief period framed by the January 31 st Board majority decision to dissolve and the February 11 th Poll of the Board to revoke dissolution.
The action to reserve the League’s name prevented efforts to fully restore it at that time and required the Board majority to approve forming a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which we officially named the “National League of Families of American Prisoners, Missing and Unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War.” The new legal name accurately included all the families for whom we’ve sought answers since our founding, thus allowing us to continue without jeopardizing our sacred historical mission. In reality, most at home and abroad know the League simply as the “National League of POW/MIA Families.” While very close to the original, the new name was sufficiently different to enable the League to move forward legally.
A specialized law firm, recommended by a long-time Board Member and implemented by the Chairman in regular communication with the full Board, and ably supported by League Administrator, worked with DC authorities to confirm the League’s “active” status and reaffirm our founding date to prevent a break in the League’s well-established history. Also mandatory was IRS confirmation of the League’s original EIN #23-7071242. Saying this affirmation was a relief is a dramatic understatement, and it didn’t come through until earlier this month, in fact May 9, 2023, to be precise!!
The League’s efforts will be assessed by the donor at the end of each year and, so long as responsible issue-focused efforts are helping bring answers and reasonably increased accounting results, another $400,000 will be donated each year until the end of five years, for a total of $2,000,000.00. (For clarity, the donor is not related to nor a close friend to anyone who was or now is missing/unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War, nor a returned Vietnam War POW, nor connected by past or present accounting-related employment.)
Challenging and frustrating as have been the recent months of confusion, the League now has ample funding to support our expanding efforts. Thankfully, and on board as this is written, is Executive Director Dr. George J. “Jay” Veith! Eager to start, Jay comes to the position highly qualified, having served as the League’s Archival Research Committee (ARC) Chairman, and with extensive knowledge of and experience in the accounting mission. He is also well known and respected by many Vietnam War POW/MIA families, researchers, authors, educators, DIA’s Stony Beach Team members, and most long-involved, committed
DPAA employees.
Now that the League has again been certified as “active” by DC officials and the IRS, all who were League members before this bizarre challenge occurred still are, but let us hear from you to update our records. We’re confident that all family members still seeking answers to end uncertainty about missing loved ones will quickly respond. Our hope is that all of you who receive this message again recognize the importance of our efforts and are willing to renew active commitment to those who serve our Nation. Membership Forms are available on the League Website and will be enclosed for subsequent hard-copy mailing by USPS. No dues required for 2023 but, of course, donations are always welcome! We must pull together to reinforce the
importance of implementing long-promised priority on our shared mission – accounting as fully as possible for
America’s POW/MIA and KIA/BNR from the Vietnam War.
This critical message is being sent to all for whom we have current email addresses and also will subsequently be sent by hard-copy, with referenced enclosures, hoping to confirm that we have current data, phone numbers and email addresses, the latter being the quickest and least expensive way to reach out and keep all apprised of current, critical information. We must signal senior US and foreign officials that we are expecting increased accounting results in keeping with longstanding reasonable expectations and DPAA’s pledge that accounting for Vietnam War missing is their highest operational priority.
Last December 12 th , I again met with Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security To Lam to convey the specific unilateral steps his government needs to take – with no further delays! We are determined to continue engaging senior foreign and US officials in all related agencies. To have confidence that increased, evidence-based results can be achieved, an objective intelligence assessment must occur soon. It is the only way to determine a reasonable “core” on which to base policy and implementation plans to obtain answers for the impacted families. The time is NOW!
When the League was formed to voice our concerns in 1970, it was because senior US officials thought they knew best …….THEY DIDN’T……, but with President Reagan’s long-established support, things finally began to change, then move forward in the 1980s. NOT SO TODAY! We need your help and support, and we’ve shown we don’t give up or succumb to unwarranted attacks or pressure. You can count on us to move forward and do everything possible to help get the answers you seek, now inspired by our new Executive Director Dr. Jay Veith. He’ll be supported by our dedicated League Administrator who stuck with us throughout this trying time to demonstrate her unwavering support and assistance. As ever hopefully…….and moving forward with focused determination………Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman of the Board
Salina Pays Tribute to Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day
Salina Pays Tribute to Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day (salina311.com)
Salina Pays Tribute to Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day (salina311.com)
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To honor all Vietnam POW/MIAs at the Palm Springs Air Museum’s Memorial Day Event (Monday May 29th) the Museum would like to recognize those Vietnam POW/MIA family members in attendance and those of you who proudly wore your POW/MIA Bracelets during and after the Vietnam War.
Please let me know if you are able to attend. You and your family will enter through the VIP entrance and will be seated in the VIP section. I will need your names in advance. Thank you, Dr. Dave Thompson Palm Springs Air Museum POW/MIA Bracelet Display Curator Lt. Commander U.S. Navy (1964-1970) DR.DAVE.PSAM@GMAIL.COM 760-328-0859 760-408-7660 10-103 Lakeview Dr. Rancho Mirage, Ca 92270 |
10:00 - Doors Open 1:00 - Program 2:00 - B-25 Flower Drop All Day - Aircraft Flying, Food and Music |
Click below to access our National League of
POW-MIA Families Facebook page.
POW-MIA Families Facebook page.
50 years later, a homecoming celebration for Vietnam Veterans
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/11/vietnam-50-year-anniversary-national-mall/
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/11/vietnam-50-year-anniversary-national-mall/
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Accounting for all of the missing will never be possible, but working together, we can and will achieve the fullest possible accounting for America's Vietnam War POW/MIAs.
This message reaches those serving today in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and at bases, posts and stations around the world. They NEED TO know if captured or missing while serving, our nation will be there for them.
This message reaches those serving today in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and at bases, posts and stations around the world. They NEED TO know if captured or missing while serving, our nation will be there for them.
The League is always seeking photos of POW/MIA flag, monuments, Missing Man Honors Tables, and POW/MIA empty chairs from your community to feature on our social media pages and website.
Sharing with us is easy, just message your photos to the League Facebook page or
nationalleague@pow-miafamiles.org with a brief description of when & where
the photo was taken.
All proper credits will be given.
Sharing with us is easy, just message your photos to the League Facebook page or
nationalleague@pow-miafamiles.org with a brief description of when & where
the photo was taken.
All proper credits will be given.
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RAF LAKENHEATH POW/MIA Activities.
Thank you, Mr. Bob Hale, Education Development Volunteer @ Bentwaters Cold War Museum (BCWM) and UK / European Coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA Families |
Contact us
NationalLeague@pow-miafamilies.org | (703) 465-7432