NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES
51st ANNUAL MEETING & U.S. Government Briefings
51st ANNUAL MEETING & U.S. Government Briefings
STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE ACCOUNTING OBJECTIVES
Paper Prepared by Richard T. Childress, Senior Policy Adviser for
National League of POW/MIA Families’ 51st Annual Meeting September 15-17, 2021
Every Annual meeting our League Senior Policy Adviser Richard Childress gives a wonderful speech.
This year he was kind enough to write one for us. Please take the time to read his speech below.
richard_childress.crdownload
Paper Prepared by Richard T. Childress, Senior Policy Adviser for
National League of POW/MIA Families’ 51st Annual Meeting September 15-17, 2021
Every Annual meeting our League Senior Policy Adviser Richard Childress gives a wonderful speech.
This year he was kind enough to write one for us. Please take the time to read his speech below.
richard_childress.crdownload
Update on the League’s Archival Research Committee for the 51st Annual Meeting
by ARC Team Lead Jay Veith
September 15, 2021
Veith_Presentation_Sept_2021.pdf
by ARC Team Lead Jay Veith
September 15, 2021
Veith_Presentation_Sept_2021.pdf
50th Anniversary Annual Meeting
Wednesday, June 19th through Sunday, June 23rd, 2019
The meeting was held at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel
This year’s annual meeting marked five decades of League efforts to account as fully as possible for America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs and other unreturned veterans.
The League’s central role is recognized as key to having sustained priority, established by President Reagan when he assumed office in 1982, and expanding the mission to include efforts to recover and identify Americans unreturned from wars and conflicts back to WWII.
Link to The Retrospective session by DPAA vimeo.com/340688002
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Video's of the Candlelight Ceremony at the Annual Dinner on June 20, 2019
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NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES
49th ANNUAL MEETING
June 20th - 24th
Hilton Crystal City Hotel
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
703-418-6800 or 1-800-445-8667
https://www.hilton.com
49th ANNUAL MEETING
June 20th - 24th
Hilton Crystal City Hotel
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
703-418-6800 or 1-800-445-8667
https://www.hilton.com
49th Annual Meeting Program
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Mr. Richard T. Childress Remarks
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Rear Admiral Jon Kreitz
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Director Kelly McKeague
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Dr. Thomas Holland
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Col Forbes
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Mr. Todd Livick and Mr. Johnie Webb
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CPT Todd M.I. Willis
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Major Christopher Goodrich
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Mr. John M. Goines III
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Dr. Denise To
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Timothy P. McMahon, PhD
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Lt Col Joseph M. Ladymon
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CWO2 Christopher Timothy
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Off-the-Scope Aircraft Losses Workshop
Karin Steadman and Joseph Mortati |
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During the 49th Annual Meeting of the National League of POW/MIA Families, eligible individuals were presented a Certificate of Honor from The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.
Each recipient was presented a certificate signed by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an Unaccounted For lapel pin, and two Presidential Proclamations of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.
If you have any questions about the Certificate of Honor Program, or your eligibility, please contact the Vietnam War Commemoration at:
Phone: 877-387-9951
Email: whs.pentagon.wso.mbx.vnwar50th-cpp-coh@mail.mil
Each recipient was presented a certificate signed by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an Unaccounted For lapel pin, and two Presidential Proclamations of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.
If you have any questions about the Certificate of Honor Program, or your eligibility, please contact the Vietnam War Commemoration at:
Phone: 877-387-9951
Email: whs.pentagon.wso.mbx.vnwar50th-cpp-coh@mail.mil
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES
48TH ANNUAL MEETING
June 21 - 25, 2017
Hilton Crystal City Hotel
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
This year’s 48th Annual Meeting was great success, with approximately 500 participants, including family members, concerned citizens, and government officials – both foreign and domestic.
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SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE 48TH ANNUAL MEETING June 21-25, 2017 48TH ANNUAL MEETING: Despite unwarranted challenges imposed by the DPAA “leadership” then in place, the annual meeting was the largest and most productive in a very long time. Opening Session included the accustomed formalities, Color Guard conducted by our Sergeants-at-Arms, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation and “America the Beautiful,” sung by Wendy Coble, former League Administrator, now with DPAA. A brief “In Memory and Honor” ceremony recognized those accounted for since the 47th Annual Meeting in 2016. The principal Opening Session speaker was League Senior Policy Advisor Richard T. Childress, a highly trained Army officer and Vietnam Veteran who served as Director of Asian Affairs for eight years on the National Security Council (NSC) staff. He was the chief architect of policy developed by the POW/MIA Interagency Group, approved at the highest level, and pursued as a matter of highest national priority during the two terms of President Ronald Reagan. He has served as the League’s Senior Policy Advisor since February, 1989, and has participated in all League Delegations since 1999. In addition to up-to-date briefings by qualified professionals representing all aspects of the accounting mission, there were presentations by senior DPAA officials. Principal Director Fern Sumpter Winbush, then DPAA Deputy Director BG Mark Spindler, USA, Policy & Plans Director John Hamilton, Outreach & Communications Director Todd Livick and Asia Pacific Regional Director Col Mike Gann, USMC, outlined DPAA’s policy approach and operational direction, focused primarily on Vietnam War areas of interest. Specialists dealing with all aspects of in-country activities, from investigations, including Stony Beach Team members from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and larger-scale DPAA Investigation Teams (ITs), to surveys, recoveries, underwater recoveries (both US and Vietnamese), and processes utilized within the three separate DPAA Laboratories in HI, NE & OH. Those gathered also listened attentively to presentations on specific assets that can be incorporated to augment field operations, such as Army mortuary affairs personnel with specialized training uniquely qualifying them to support field recovery teams and help reduce deployment of highly trained anthropologists. Such augmentation would help focus their time and scientific skill for identifying remains recovered, whether by DPAA, private contractors or unilaterally turned over, as well as remains being disinterred from US cemeteries around the world. The latter now incorporates exhuming remains not earlier identified to attempt individual identification, including the known dead from the USS Oklahoma, sunk in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Russian Delegation Participates in 48th Annual Meeting: A highlight of the annual meeting was the first-ever attendance by a Russian Delegation. They participated throughout, observed Opening Session, made an official presentation that afternoon, joined by USRJC Co-Chairman General Doc Foglesong, USAF (Ret), and attended the 48th Annual Meeting Dinner that same evening, June 22nd, as League VIP Guests. Very importantly, Russian Delegation Chairman Colonel Andrey Taranov openly and effectively participated in the Q & A Session on Saturday, June 24th, and was forthcoming and responsive. Chairman’s Comments: This was a unique first for the League and for Russian officials on the US-Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) on POW/MIA Affairs. Their visit, plenary session, and working group talks just prior to our 48th Annual Meeting, were initiated by COL Chris Forbes, USA, DPAA’s Europe-Mediterranean Regional Director, with full support from General Foglesong, and made possible by Mr. Maxim Alexeyev, Chief of the Russian Embassy’s Commission Support Office. The League deeply appreciates the contributions and commitments made on behalf of the Russian side of the USRJC.
Participation in the Q & A Session on Saturday, June 24th, by Colonel Andrey Taranov was unprecedented, and he was responsive to questions raised by the League Chairman. Following are examples:
Q1: Last Known Alive (LKA) reports are the US #1 priority. How many POW debriefs are in Russian archives that you can provide? Answer: It is difficult to determine the amount of information because the information is classified. We are working to declassify the information and provide it, including, if found, information on LKAs. Q2: Soviet pilots flew missions early in the war. Will you provide that and related information? Answer: We have not discovered any documents concerning Soviet actions against US aircraft (in Vietnam). As we have said, when we find any documents, we will work to declassify them. Q3: Russia has established an office at the Russian Embassy in Washington to support the USRJC. What can be done to speed archival access to information on Russian (Soviet) advisors in SEA? Answer: We opened our US office to support archival research from WWII forward. We are working with the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). We are digitizing information (from the German Trophy Documents) and will make it available to the public. With respect to Soviet advisors in Vietnam, we are working in the archival collections which contain documents, including NVA (North Vietnamese) intelligence reports. All relevant information we find will be declassified and provided to the US side. We will work on facilitating interviews with former Soviet advisors. Q4: Will Russia release the pictures taken by the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) during the Vietnam War? Answer: It will be up to the journalists if they wish to release the pictures. Q5: What NVA Air Defense Units were Soviet Advisors assigned to? Did Soviet personnel capture any US personnel? Answer: There is no information in our documents attesting to Soviet advisors capturing US pilots. The documents we have are the documents of the North Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense’s intelligence on interrogation of US pilots. We will continue this work to review and declassify documents. All documents which concern US personnel will be transferred to the United States. Q6: What is included in Russian archival holdings? Answer: The Russian (Soviet) documents we hold are in the Russian language and include Vietnamese documents translated into Russian. Q7: What types of reports did the Soviet advisors send back to Moscow? Answer: There were no special templates or requirements. Q8: Have you consulted with the Vietnamese in their efforts to account for their dead? Have you discovered any information on US MIAs? Answer: We have received no requests for assistance from the Vietnamese. Q9: What are your recommendations for moving forward? Three-party discussions? US, Russia and Vietnam/Laos? Answer: We are ready to participate in any efforts to progress forward. Q10: Are the Russian people/government supporting this effort? That is, cooperation with the US Government for this mission? Answer: Our technical talks are filling up the Internet with positive comments. Russian leadership and government have already published reports on these technical talks. The government is supportive. The Russian Delegation’s presence speaks to Russian Government support. You can download the Special Report from the 48TH Annual Meeting and the 48th Annual Meeting Program, as well as the Remarks and Presentations of the participants.
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Under the umbrella title of “Competence, Comprehension & Caring,” his prescient remarks cited specific examples of faulty thinking and failed efforts by US officials, while noting serious commitment over the years by many frustrated specialists. He also provided constructive recommendations to what all hoped would be seriously considered by the (then) soon-to-be selected DPAA Director, a position already vacant for a year and counting. (Note: Thankfully, Director McKeague was named September 5, 2017.)
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY LEAGUE MEMBERS: 6-24-17
#1 RESOLVED, that the League recommends that DPAA re-look at resource allocation and place priority on Vietnam War cases at risk due to acidic soil, development, or other compelling reasons that would prevent future accountability. (Resolution #1 passed by overwhelming majority, with no abstentions, and one nay vote.) #2 RESOLVED, that the League rejects a DPAA’s laboratory-related policy of “first in-first out” and urges that first priority be given to remains recovered during field operations; and further RESOLVED, that the League urges DPAA to shift its policy from trying to achieve an arbitrary number of 200 identifications per year to first priority on identifications from field recoveries from endangered sites related to unaccounted-for US personnel. (Resolution #2 passed by overwhelming majority, with five abstentions and no nay votes.) #3 RESOLVED, that the League recommends the DoD establish contingency plans for additive funding, personnel and resources for DPRK operations should they re-start, and not be drawn from the existing DPAA budget. (Resolution #3 passed overwhelmingly, with two abstentions.) #4 RESOLVED, that the League commends the Russian Members of the US-Russia Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) for commitments made during the 48th Annual Meeting and looks forward to expedited implementation; and further RESOLVED, that the League commends the Russian Federation leadership for its support for the work of this bipartisan humanitarian effort. (Resolution #4 passed unanimously.) #5 RESOLVED, that the League commends DPAA leadership for commitment at the 48th Annual Meeting to ensuring that DIA’s Stony Beach specialists are fully utilized and integrated into the in-country investigation process, including participation in as many JFAs as possible, dependent upon Stony Beach’s availability. (Resolution #5 passed unanimously.) #6 RESOLVED, that the League appreciates and fully supports initiatives by Dr. Holland’s Partnership Directorate to seek out all potential opportunities in the public and private sector to expand the accounting process and expedite results. (Resolution #6 passed unanimously.) #7 RESOLVED, that the League urges DPAA to concentrate its efforts to locate, recover, identify and repatriate our heroes still unaccounted for on foreign soil. (Resolution #7 passed unanimously.) Chairman’s Comment: Since formation of DPAA, requirements on the League and, in particular, your allegedly “retired” Chairman of the Board, have been unceasing and increasingly demanding. The largest organization in the world focused solely on accounting for military and designated civilians missing from the Vietnam War and wars and conflicts further past, DPAA is recognized as the premier organization, with an admirable reputation in the scientific community. At the time of last year’s 48th Annual Meeting, there was complete turmoil. The first DPAA Director resigned after only six months, reneging on pledges of long-term commitment. To say DPAA was dysfunctional was an understatement, and this view was shared by those in DPAA who were truly committed to the accounting mission. It was a very long two-plus years until an honorable, principled, intelligent Director was named. Thankfully, that horrendous time is over, but challenges internal to the US Government bureaucracy still exist and must be resolved. Kelly McKeague has the capability and the commitment to do the job. Time will tell.
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The 2017/2019 Board of Directors
The new Board began serving at the Annual Meeting. Ann Mills Griffiths, Chairman of the Board Mark Stephensen, Vice Chairman Eldon Robinson, Treasurer Cindy Stonebraker. Secretary Pam Cain, Board Member Karoni Forrester, Board Member Sue Scott, Board Member | |||||
Competence, Comprehension & Caring
Mr. Richard Childress, Senior League Policy Advisor
& Director of Asian Affairs, NSC Staff, 1981 – 1989
Mr. Richard Childress, Senior League Policy Advisor
& Director of Asian Affairs, NSC Staff, 1981 – 1989
DIA’s Role in the Accounting Mission
Mr. Frank Miller, Chief, Asia-Pacific Regional Center Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC
Technological Advances in DNA Identifications
Dr. Tim McMahon, Director DoD DNA Registry & Armed Forces DNA Laboratory Dover AFB, Delaware | |||||
| Dr. Tim McMahon 6-23-17.pdf |
Introduction of DPAA’s Team
Fern Sumpter Winbush, Acting Director
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Washington, DC
Fern Sumpter Winbush, Acting Director
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Washington, DC
| Fern Sumpter-Winbush.pdf |
Worldwide Policy Perspective
Mr. John Hamilton, Director Policy & Plans Directorate
DPAA, Washington, DC
Mr. John Hamilton, Director Policy & Plans Directorate
DPAA, Washington, DC
| John Hamilton.pdf |
Public Diplomacy Strategy for Success
Mr. Todd S. Livick, Director Outreach & Communications Directorate
DPAA, Washington, DC
Mr. Todd S. Livick, Director Outreach & Communications Directorate
DPAA, Washington, DC
| Todd Livick.pdf |
Public-Private Partnerships – Update
Dr. Thomas Holland, Director Public-Private Partnership Initiative
DPAA, Washington, DC
Dr. Thomas Holland, Director Public-Private Partnership Initiative
DPAA, Washington, DC
| Dr. Tom Holland.pdf |
Facilitating Family & Veteran Engagement
Mr. Johnie E. Webb, Deputy Director Outreach & Communications Directorate
DPAA, Honolulu, HI
Mr. Johnie E. Webb, Deputy Director Outreach & Communications Directorate
DPAA, Honolulu, HI
| Johnie Webb.pdf |
Establishing Global Priorities & Initiatives
Brigadier General Mark Spindler, USA Deputy Director
DPAA, Honolulu, Hawaii
Brigadier General Mark Spindler, USA Deputy Director
DPAA, Honolulu, Hawaii
| Mark Spindler.pdf |
Mission Requirements & Planning Priorities
Colonel Mike Gann, USMC, Director, Asia-Pacific Region
DPAA, Honolulu, Hawaii
Colonel Mike Gann, USMC, Director, Asia-Pacific Region
DPAA, Honolulu, Hawaii
| Mike Gann.pdf |
Operational Integration of DPAA Laboratories
Dr. Debra Zinni, Laboratory Manager
DPAA, Honolulu, Hawaii
Dr. Debra Zinni, Laboratory Manager
DPAA, Honolulu, Hawaii
| Dr. Debra Zinni.pdf |
Data Analysis & Transparency
Mr. Chris McDermott Chief, Data Office,
DPAA, Washington, DC
Mr. Chris McDermott Chief, Data Office,
DPAA, Washington, DC
| Chris McDermott.pdf |
Inside Accounting Operations in Vietnam
Mr. Ron Ward, Casualty Resolution Specialist
DPAA Detachment Two, Hanoi, Vietnam
Mr. Ron Ward, Casualty Resolution Specialist
DPAA Detachment Two, Hanoi, Vietnam
| Ron Ward.pdf |
USRJC Implementation Update
Colonel Christopher S. Forbes, USA, Director Europe-Mediterranean Directorate
DPAA
Colonel Christopher S. Forbes, USA, Director Europe-Mediterranean Directorate
DPAA
| Chris Forbes.pdf |
Previous Annual Meetings
47th Annual MeetingJune 22nd – June 25th, 2016
Hilton Crystal City
Registration Form
47th Annual Meeting Program
Presentations to the National League of POW/MIA Families 47th Annual Meeting
Thursday June 23, 2016
- Mr. Johnie Webb Deputy Director, Outreach & Communications, DPAA
- Mr. Richard Childress, Senior League Policy Advisor, Director of Asian Affairs, National Security Council 1981-1989
- Brigadier General Mark Spindler, USA, Deputy Director, Operations, DPAA
- Mr. Matt Kristoff, Asia Pacific Directorate, DPAA
- Dr. Thomas D. Holland DPAA, Director Strategic Partnerships
- Ms. Fern Sumpter Winbush Principal Director, DPAA
Friday June 24, 2016
- CAPT John Moulton, USN, Commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two
- Ms. Wendy M. Coble, Historian and Underwater Archaeologist, DPAA
- Mr. Todd Livick, Director , O&C, DPAA
- Mr. John Goines, III, DPAA Laboratory Manager, Wright-Patterson AFB
- Lt Col Alice J. Briones MC, USAF Chief Deputy Medical Examiner & Director
- Dr. Owen L. O’Leary, Forensic Archaeologist, DPAA
46th Annual Meeting
June 24 – 27, 2015
The 2015/2017 Board of Directors Election results are in. The new Board will begin serving at the Annual Meeting.
The new Board is:
Ann Mills Griffiths
Karoni Forrester
Mark Stephensen
Sue Scott
Cindy Stonebraker
Eldon Robinson
Pam Cain
Thanks to all – candidates and voters – for participating!
Please download the form and register for the 46th Annual Meeting:
Registration Form
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR THE LEAGUE’S 46th ANNUAL MEETING The group code for making your reservations at the Hilton has changed. It is no longer MIA2015 -the group code is now PML. To call the Hilton using the group code PML 800-445-8667 To make your reservations online, go to: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/D/DCANAHF-PML-20150621/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
YOUR HELP IS CRUCIAL
April 24, 2015
As all of you know by now, the POW/MIA accounting mission is undergoing the most critical changes in the 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Throughout that time, the League has played a vital role in helping to bring home 956 men previously missing from that long-ago war. The League also played a crucial role in setting the stage for the expanded effort that has evolved. Yet, despite all the work for all those years, there are reasons for greater concern now than at any time since 1975. The future of this mission depends on decisions now being made. Can we be sure the comparatively small number of 1,627 US personnel still missing will continue to be a primary focus of US accounting efforts? The loud competing interests garner attention in Congress and the Administration and our small voice is in danger of being swamped.
Secretary Hagel’s personal involvement and commitment gave reason for optimism that the reorganization he directed would be successful. The outcome is far from assured, although senior military officers were selected to restructure the various elements into one efficient, effective agency with higher priority and support. Clearly, former Secretary Hagel was determined to “get this right” and was not tolerant of excuses; however, initial reorganization steps showed reluctance to build on the existing strengths in the process and look for ways to improve and expand the effort.
Things continue to move rapidly and with significant confusion and internal dissension within the three major organizations – DPMO, JPAC and LSEL – being consolidated into one agency, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, or DPAA. RADM Michael T. Franken, USN, appointed by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Christine Wormuth as the Interim Director, met with the Board of Directors on March 14th. His presentation gave reason for optimism that he was open to new ideas, such as Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) now under consideration. The League Board welcomed the concept, while recognizing that P3s would likely be most useful on WWII incidents that occurred in Europe, the Pacific Islands, India and other countries in Asia, rather than to Vietnam War losses. Longstanding, hard-earned agreements reached with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia give US officials access in the context of bilateral government-to-government cooperation.
What this means should be very clear: Now is the time for you to come to Washington, DC, to attend the League’s 46th Annual Meeting. Your presence is needed! Numbers count, willingness to speak out and express your views counts, especially to Members of the House and Senate, and leaders in the Administration. THE BOARD CANNOT DO THIS ALONE. NEVER HAS THERE BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO SHOW STRENGTH AND UNITY, IN LARGE NUMBERS, THAN NOW!
Each missing man should be represented by at least two family members, designated by the Primary Next of Kin (PNOK), flown FREE to Washington, DC, as mandated by Congress and authorized by the Secretary of Defense. Yes, you must pay for your own hotel, but at greatly reduced rates negotiated by the League: $149 plus taxes, per room, per night, single or double. Call the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, 800-445-8667, and use Code PML to obtain these rates. Register for the League’s 46th Annual Meeting for only $50 a person (if a League Member), and $50 additional if you wish to attend the 46th Annual Meeting Dinner.
OUR POW/MIA NEED YOU, AND SO DOES THE LEAGUE,
FOR STRENGTH AND IMPACT GOING FORWARD
LEAGUE 46TH ANNUAL MEETING: This national convention will be the first opportunity to receive an In-Process Review (IPR) on complete reorganization of the accounting process. The Secretary of Defense will be invited as Keynote Speaker at the Opening Session on Thursday, June 25th, 9:00 a.m. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) of the new Agency will have been in place for six months, so there should be ample information to share with the families. Certainly, Interim Director RADM Michael Franken and Interim Deputy Director Maj Gen Kelly McKeague will be asked to provide their views and, in this era of mandated transparency, it should be very informative. We also hope to see the return of familiar, trusted people such as Johnie Webb, Jennifer Nasarenko, Ron Ward, Bill Gadoury, Bob Maves, Bill Habeeb, our “Task Element 1, 2 & 3” leaders, all Stony Beach Team specialists, and many other dedicated civilians who play key roles in the accounting mission.
IT IS CRUCIAL THAT ALL LEAGUE MEMBERS ATTEND! COIN Assist transportation – Congressionally mandated, DoD-directed and Service-provided – will once again be available for two family members per man still missing and unaccounted-for to attend. Funding, personnel and leadership changes, and challenges within the POW/MIA community ensure information provided during the briefings and panels will be critical and will affect every interested family member.
June 24 – 27, 2015
The 2015/2017 Board of Directors Election results are in. The new Board will begin serving at the Annual Meeting.
The new Board is:
Ann Mills Griffiths
Karoni Forrester
Mark Stephensen
Sue Scott
Cindy Stonebraker
Eldon Robinson
Pam Cain
Thanks to all – candidates and voters – for participating!
Please download the form and register for the 46th Annual Meeting:
Registration Form
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR THE LEAGUE’S 46th ANNUAL MEETING The group code for making your reservations at the Hilton has changed. It is no longer MIA2015 -the group code is now PML. To call the Hilton using the group code PML 800-445-8667 To make your reservations online, go to: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/D/DCANAHF-PML-20150621/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
YOUR HELP IS CRUCIAL
April 24, 2015
As all of you know by now, the POW/MIA accounting mission is undergoing the most critical changes in the 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Throughout that time, the League has played a vital role in helping to bring home 956 men previously missing from that long-ago war. The League also played a crucial role in setting the stage for the expanded effort that has evolved. Yet, despite all the work for all those years, there are reasons for greater concern now than at any time since 1975. The future of this mission depends on decisions now being made. Can we be sure the comparatively small number of 1,627 US personnel still missing will continue to be a primary focus of US accounting efforts? The loud competing interests garner attention in Congress and the Administration and our small voice is in danger of being swamped.
Secretary Hagel’s personal involvement and commitment gave reason for optimism that the reorganization he directed would be successful. The outcome is far from assured, although senior military officers were selected to restructure the various elements into one efficient, effective agency with higher priority and support. Clearly, former Secretary Hagel was determined to “get this right” and was not tolerant of excuses; however, initial reorganization steps showed reluctance to build on the existing strengths in the process and look for ways to improve and expand the effort.
Things continue to move rapidly and with significant confusion and internal dissension within the three major organizations – DPMO, JPAC and LSEL – being consolidated into one agency, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, or DPAA. RADM Michael T. Franken, USN, appointed by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Christine Wormuth as the Interim Director, met with the Board of Directors on March 14th. His presentation gave reason for optimism that he was open to new ideas, such as Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) now under consideration. The League Board welcomed the concept, while recognizing that P3s would likely be most useful on WWII incidents that occurred in Europe, the Pacific Islands, India and other countries in Asia, rather than to Vietnam War losses. Longstanding, hard-earned agreements reached with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia give US officials access in the context of bilateral government-to-government cooperation.
What this means should be very clear: Now is the time for you to come to Washington, DC, to attend the League’s 46th Annual Meeting. Your presence is needed! Numbers count, willingness to speak out and express your views counts, especially to Members of the House and Senate, and leaders in the Administration. THE BOARD CANNOT DO THIS ALONE. NEVER HAS THERE BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO SHOW STRENGTH AND UNITY, IN LARGE NUMBERS, THAN NOW!
Each missing man should be represented by at least two family members, designated by the Primary Next of Kin (PNOK), flown FREE to Washington, DC, as mandated by Congress and authorized by the Secretary of Defense. Yes, you must pay for your own hotel, but at greatly reduced rates negotiated by the League: $149 plus taxes, per room, per night, single or double. Call the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, 800-445-8667, and use Code PML to obtain these rates. Register for the League’s 46th Annual Meeting for only $50 a person (if a League Member), and $50 additional if you wish to attend the 46th Annual Meeting Dinner.
OUR POW/MIA NEED YOU, AND SO DOES THE LEAGUE,
FOR STRENGTH AND IMPACT GOING FORWARD
LEAGUE 46TH ANNUAL MEETING: This national convention will be the first opportunity to receive an In-Process Review (IPR) on complete reorganization of the accounting process. The Secretary of Defense will be invited as Keynote Speaker at the Opening Session on Thursday, June 25th, 9:00 a.m. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) of the new Agency will have been in place for six months, so there should be ample information to share with the families. Certainly, Interim Director RADM Michael Franken and Interim Deputy Director Maj Gen Kelly McKeague will be asked to provide their views and, in this era of mandated transparency, it should be very informative. We also hope to see the return of familiar, trusted people such as Johnie Webb, Jennifer Nasarenko, Ron Ward, Bill Gadoury, Bob Maves, Bill Habeeb, our “Task Element 1, 2 & 3” leaders, all Stony Beach Team specialists, and many other dedicated civilians who play key roles in the accounting mission.
IT IS CRUCIAL THAT ALL LEAGUE MEMBERS ATTEND! COIN Assist transportation – Congressionally mandated, DoD-directed and Service-provided – will once again be available for two family members per man still missing and unaccounted-for to attend. Funding, personnel and leadership changes, and challenges within the POW/MIA community ensure information provided during the briefings and panels will be critical and will affect every interested family member.
45th Annual Meeting
The League’s 45th Annual Meeting was held June 11th-14th, 2014 at the Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Government briefings and other sessions were held on Thursday and Friday, with a question and answer panel held Saturday morning, followed by the annual business meeting of the League. The League’s Annual Dinner was held Thursday, June 12th, with dinner speaker Sen. Joseph Manchin, III, D-W. Also featured at the dinner was Justin Myers of Nebraska, who presented his documentary: “Recovering the Missing: Their Right, Our Responsibility”.The 45th Annual Meeting brought together more than 400 family members, concerned citizens, and government officials. To learn more about the sessions that were held, download copies of the program and the remarks of featured speakers:
45th Annual Meeting Program
The Honorable Michael D. Lumpkin, Acting Under Secretary for Policy, Department of Defense Impact of POW/MIA Accounting on US Policy Assessment of Foreign Government Responsiveness Challenges and Success in Laos and Vietnam
The League’s 45th Annual Meeting was held June 11th-14th, 2014 at the Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Government briefings and other sessions were held on Thursday and Friday, with a question and answer panel held Saturday morning, followed by the annual business meeting of the League. The League’s Annual Dinner was held Thursday, June 12th, with dinner speaker Sen. Joseph Manchin, III, D-W. Also featured at the dinner was Justin Myers of Nebraska, who presented his documentary: “Recovering the Missing: Their Right, Our Responsibility”.The 45th Annual Meeting brought together more than 400 family members, concerned citizens, and government officials. To learn more about the sessions that were held, download copies of the program and the remarks of featured speakers:
45th Annual Meeting Program
The Honorable Michael D. Lumpkin, Acting Under Secretary for Policy, Department of Defense Impact of POW/MIA Accounting on US Policy Assessment of Foreign Government Responsiveness Challenges and Success in Laos and Vietnam
- Bill Gadoury, JPAC: Successes and Challenges Working the POW/MIA Issue in Laos
- Dustin Roses, Stony Beach: Successes and Challenges Stony Beach POW-MIA Efforts in Laos
- Ron Ward, JPAC: POW-MIA Accounting in Vietnam Successes and Challenges
- LTG Claude “Mick” Kicklighter (Ret), Director
The 44th Annual Meeting
The League’s 44th Annual Meeting was held June 13th-15th, 2013 at the Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Government briefings and other sessions were held on Thursday and Friday, with a question and answer panel held Saturday morning, followed by the annual business meeting of the League. The League’s Annual Dinner was held Thursday, June 13th, and featured cultural performances by Khmer dancers and Lao musicians. Keynote speaker for the dinner was the Vietnamese ambassador to the US – a first in the history of the annual dinner!
Remarks by Richard Childress, League Policy Adviser, delivered at the opening session of the 44th Annual Meeting
Remarks delivered by Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, delivered at the 44th Annual Dinner
The 44th Annual Meeting brought together more than 400 family members, concerned citizens, and government officials. To learn more about the sessions that were held, download a copy of the program here.
The League’s 44th Annual Meeting was held June 13th-15th, 2013 at the Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Government briefings and other sessions were held on Thursday and Friday, with a question and answer panel held Saturday morning, followed by the annual business meeting of the League. The League’s Annual Dinner was held Thursday, June 13th, and featured cultural performances by Khmer dancers and Lao musicians. Keynote speaker for the dinner was the Vietnamese ambassador to the US – a first in the history of the annual dinner!
Remarks by Richard Childress, League Policy Adviser, delivered at the opening session of the 44th Annual Meeting
Remarks delivered by Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, delivered at the 44th Annual Dinner
The 44th Annual Meeting brought together more than 400 family members, concerned citizens, and government officials. To learn more about the sessions that were held, download a copy of the program here.