2023 NEWS
Lessons from Vietnam: ‘Stay Connected, Don’t Be Alone’
AURORA, Colo.--1st Lt. Lee Ellis’ F-4C Phantom was shot down on his 53rd bombing mission over North Vietnam. Captured immediately on Nov. 7, 1967, he was taken to the notorious Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi, where he stayed for the next five and a half years.
“That cell in the Hanoi Hilton … was six and a half by seven feet,” Ellis told a packed room of Airmen and Guardians at the AFA Warfare Symposium. “That’s like a bathroom in a gas station. I was in there with three other guys for the first eight months.”
Despite the cramped conditions, Ellis and his fellow American POWs endured, helping each other maintain their collective spirit by offering encouragement and moral support. And when they were isolated from one another in attempts to break their wills, they did what they could to remain connected.
Click here to read more about Lessons from Vietnam!
AURORA, Colo.--1st Lt. Lee Ellis’ F-4C Phantom was shot down on his 53rd bombing mission over North Vietnam. Captured immediately on Nov. 7, 1967, he was taken to the notorious Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi, where he stayed for the next five and a half years.
“That cell in the Hanoi Hilton … was six and a half by seven feet,” Ellis told a packed room of Airmen and Guardians at the AFA Warfare Symposium. “That’s like a bathroom in a gas station. I was in there with three other guys for the first eight months.”
Despite the cramped conditions, Ellis and his fellow American POWs endured, helping each other maintain their collective spirit by offering encouragement and moral support. And when they were isolated from one another in attempts to break their wills, they did what they could to remain connected.
Click here to read more about Lessons from Vietnam!
VVA National President Jack McManus Testifies Before Joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (Washington, D.C.) – Vietnam Veterans of America National President Jack McManus presented VVA’s 2023 legislative priorities and policy initiatives on March 1, 2023, before the joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. In his opening remarks, McManus addressed the origins of VVA, founded in response to the shameful treatment Vietnam veterans encountered on their homecoming, and called for equitable treatment of all veterans. He drew the applause of the whole room when he asserted: “An American Veteran is an American Veteran – regardless of how or when they served.”
Click here for more!
Click here for more!
Thousands of Men Have Come Home Because of Him
Johnie Webb has spent nearly half a century spearheading the search for those missing in action from America’s wars. Now, he’s finally getting his own homecoming..
For nearly half a century, Johnie Webb has been the heart and soul of the Pentagon’s effort to put the pieces back together for thousands of families whose loved ones were taken prisoner, killed in action, or buried in an unknown grave and never got their proper homecoming. He has navigated the fraught politics in the aftermath of an unpopular war, balancing the sometimes-competing interests of Congressional budgets with those of anguished family members who turned their grief into activism. Though approximately 80,000 U.S. service members are still unaccounted for, the team Webb built at what is now the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has located and identified and returned to their families for a proper burial the remains of more than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from far-flung battlefields as far back as World War II and as recent as Iraq. Read more here!
Johnie Webb has spent nearly half a century spearheading the search for those missing in action from America’s wars. Now, he’s finally getting his own homecoming..
For nearly half a century, Johnie Webb has been the heart and soul of the Pentagon’s effort to put the pieces back together for thousands of families whose loved ones were taken prisoner, killed in action, or buried in an unknown grave and never got their proper homecoming. He has navigated the fraught politics in the aftermath of an unpopular war, balancing the sometimes-competing interests of Congressional budgets with those of anguished family members who turned their grief into activism. Though approximately 80,000 U.S. service members are still unaccounted for, the team Webb built at what is now the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has located and identified and returned to their families for a proper burial the remains of more than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from far-flung battlefields as far back as World War II and as recent as Iraq. Read more here!
Today, January 27th, we remember the 50th Anniversary of the signing in 1973 of the "Paris Peace Accords" that ended active US involvement in the Vietnam War. Families around the world, but mostly in America, breathlessly awaited word of as to whether their loved one would be coming home, and shortly thereafter, 591 POWs returned to national celebrations. Thankful for all who returned, Vietnam War POW/MIA families continue seeking answers, an end to uncertainty that we've pursued since before the end of that long-ago war...........YOU CAN HELP..........Please let President Biden know you are grateful that our POW/MIA flag flies over the White House......signaling worldwide our Nation's commitment to accounting as fully as possible for America's 1,581 unreturned Vietnam War Veterans.
Soldier Accounted For From
Vietnam War (Green, T.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Pfc. Thomas F. Green, 19, of Ramona, California, killed during the Vietnam War, was accounted for Aug. 23, 2022.
In October 1971, Green was assigned to the 68th Aviation Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group. On Oct. 26, Green was serving as the door gunner on a CH-47B Chinook helicopter when it went down over water in bad weather while flying from Tuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. Remains of four of the 10 Soldiers on board were recovered during search and rescue operations following the crash, but Green was not accounted for.
An unsuccessful recovery attempt was made in 1974 when divers from the Joint Casualty Resolution Center dove on what was believed to be the crash site. A number of investigation and recovery efforts took place between 1994 and 2021 with a June 2021 recovery mission finding possible human remains and material evidence.
To identify Green’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Green’s name is recorded on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with others who are unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Green’s will be buried in Ramona, California on Feb. 23, 2023.
www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3139077/soldier-accounted-for-from-vietnam-war-green-t/
In October 1971, Green was assigned to the 68th Aviation Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group. On Oct. 26, Green was serving as the door gunner on a CH-47B Chinook helicopter when it went down over water in bad weather while flying from Tuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. Remains of four of the 10 Soldiers on board were recovered during search and rescue operations following the crash, but Green was not accounted for.
An unsuccessful recovery attempt was made in 1974 when divers from the Joint Casualty Resolution Center dove on what was believed to be the crash site. A number of investigation and recovery efforts took place between 1994 and 2021 with a June 2021 recovery mission finding possible human remains and material evidence.
To identify Green’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Green’s name is recorded on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with others who are unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Green’s will be buried in Ramona, California on Feb. 23, 2023.
www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3139077/soldier-accounted-for-from-vietnam-war-green-t/
2022 NEWS
Michigan State University has installed POW/MIA Chairs of Honor in three locations on campus. In partnership with Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 5, the Michigan State Student Veterans Association, and ROTC programs, MSU Athletics has dedicated POW/MIA Chairs of Honor in Spartan Stadium, Breslin Center, and Munn Ice Arena in recognition of service members who are unaccounted for.
On Friday, November 11 a chair was dedicated in Munn Ice Arena and another in the Breslin Center. On Saturday, November 12, a chair was dedicated in Spartan Stadium. MSU plans to install Chairs of Honor at outdoor athletic facilities on campus in spring 2023. Here is a link to the MSU Athletic Department announcement: https://msuspartans.com/news/2022/11/10/general-military-honor-chairs.aspx
Rolling Thunder Inc. Michigan Chapter 5 has worked closely with the MSU Athletic Department on this project. There are more Chairs of Honor to come in several additional Michigan college campuses and sports locations. As you may know, POW/MIA Chairs of Honor is a national initiative of Rolling Thunder, Inc. Many thanks go to Michigan Chapter 5 and MSU for these recent placements.
Purdue University was scheduled to dedicate a POW/MIA Chair of Honor in the Purdue Memorial Union Great Hall at 11:30 a.m. yesterday but I don't have any follow up information or photos yet. Here is a link to the announcement: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2022/Q4/purdue-to-dedicate-pow-mia-chair-of-honor-in-purdue-memorial-union.html#:~:text=Purdue%20to%20dedicate%20POW-MIA%20Chair%20of%20Honor%20in,%28Nov.%2014%29%20in%20Purdue%20Memorial%20Union%E2%80%99s%20Great%20Hall.
Clemson University dedicated a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at Memorial Stadium on Veterans Day. Here is a link to news coverage with video: https://www.foxcarolina.com/2022/11/12/clemson-honors-pow-mia-with-empty-seat-memorial-stadium/
And a link to a print story here: https://www.postandcourier.com/militarydigest/pow-mia-chair-of-honor-dedicated-at-clemsons-memorial-stadium/article_2e225b1e-61f9-11ed-9884-3785bc87e157.html
Please share this information with others!
Never give up,
Marty
(Ms.) Marty Eddy
Michigan Coordinator, National League of POW/MIA Families
On Friday, November 11 a chair was dedicated in Munn Ice Arena and another in the Breslin Center. On Saturday, November 12, a chair was dedicated in Spartan Stadium. MSU plans to install Chairs of Honor at outdoor athletic facilities on campus in spring 2023. Here is a link to the MSU Athletic Department announcement: https://msuspartans.com/news/2022/11/10/general-military-honor-chairs.aspx
Rolling Thunder Inc. Michigan Chapter 5 has worked closely with the MSU Athletic Department on this project. There are more Chairs of Honor to come in several additional Michigan college campuses and sports locations. As you may know, POW/MIA Chairs of Honor is a national initiative of Rolling Thunder, Inc. Many thanks go to Michigan Chapter 5 and MSU for these recent placements.
Purdue University was scheduled to dedicate a POW/MIA Chair of Honor in the Purdue Memorial Union Great Hall at 11:30 a.m. yesterday but I don't have any follow up information or photos yet. Here is a link to the announcement: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2022/Q4/purdue-to-dedicate-pow-mia-chair-of-honor-in-purdue-memorial-union.html#:~:text=Purdue%20to%20dedicate%20POW-MIA%20Chair%20of%20Honor%20in,%28Nov.%2014%29%20in%20Purdue%20Memorial%20Union%E2%80%99s%20Great%20Hall.
Clemson University dedicated a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at Memorial Stadium on Veterans Day. Here is a link to news coverage with video: https://www.foxcarolina.com/2022/11/12/clemson-honors-pow-mia-with-empty-seat-memorial-stadium/
And a link to a print story here: https://www.postandcourier.com/militarydigest/pow-mia-chair-of-honor-dedicated-at-clemsons-memorial-stadium/article_2e225b1e-61f9-11ed-9884-3785bc87e157.html
Please share this information with others!
Never give up,
Marty
(Ms.) Marty Eddy
Michigan Coordinator, National League of POW/MIA Families
Clemson honors POW-MIA with empty seat at
Memorial Stadium
www.postandcourier.com/militarydigest/pow-mia-chair-of-honor-dedicated-at-clemsons-memorial-stadium/article_2e225b1e-61f9-11ed-9884-3785bc87e157.html
&
www.foxcarolina.com/2022/11/12/clemson-honors-pow-mia-with-empty-seat-memorial-stadium/
"The Vietnam War POW/MIA Families the League represents are deeply grateful for this renewed pledge of effort and support."
A Proclamation for Veterans Day, 2022
Today, we honor generations of patriots who have earned the title of “American veteran” — a badge of courage that unites the finest group of former service members the world has ever known. With their selfless sacrifice, our Armed Forces have forged and defended the very idea of America — a promise of freedom and equality, democracy and justice, possibility and hope. We owe them an incredible debt that can never be fully repaid.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/11/07/a-proclamation-on-veterans-day-2022/?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_5_19_2022_14_55_COPY_01)
A Proclamation for Veterans Day, 2022
Today, we honor generations of patriots who have earned the title of “American veteran” — a badge of courage that unites the finest group of former service members the world has ever known. With their selfless sacrifice, our Armed Forces have forged and defended the very idea of America — a promise of freedom and equality, democracy and justice, possibility and hope. We owe them an incredible debt that can never be fully repaid.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/11/07/a-proclamation-on-veterans-day-2022/?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_5_19_2022_14_55_COPY_01)
possible Vietnam War remains repatriated from Laos
Upper Peninsula Vietnam, Korean War veterans take ‘Honor Flight’ to Washington
www.graydc.com/2022/09/28/upper-peninsula-vietnam-korean-war-veterans-take-honor-flight-washington/
www.graydc.com/2022/09/28/upper-peninsula-vietnam-korean-war-veterans-take-honor-flight-washington/
Cambria County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge to be dedicated
news.yahoo.com/cambria-county-vietnam-veterans-memorial-115500098.html
news.yahoo.com/cambria-county-vietnam-veterans-memorial-115500098.html
Vietnam War Veterans Recognized at Commemoration Event in Somers, CT
www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/vietnam-war-veterans-recognized-at-commemoration-event-in-somers/ar-AA12pBnk
www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/vietnam-war-veterans-recognized-at-commemoration-event-in-somers/ar-AA12pBnk
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In Pocatello they held their traditional ceremony at the Southeast Idaho Veterans Memorial that included a missing man table presentation and remarks from Senator Crapo's liaison on his behalf and a City Councilman on behalf of the mayors of Pocatello and Chubbuck that were out of town.
Saturday, they had the dedication of a Chair of Honor in the first collegiate football stadium in Idaho on the campus of Idaho State University in Pocatello. The chair is featured outside the President's Box in the newly remodeled stadium. POW*MIA Awareness Association were honored to present the world's largest POW/MIA flag on the field. They were pleased to have 2 from Boise Valley and Katy from Magic Valley join us. We certainly encouraged Boise Valley to engage Boise State to follow suit. By all accounts it was a successful event and was well received. powmiarodeo.org |
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Update:
CHAIRMAN/CEO MESSASGE
July 7, 2022
I am writing this note to introduce the beautiful program that was to be distributed at our 52nd Annual Meeting, long scheduled for June 22-25 th . As you will see in the program, senior officials from the State Department, National Security Council (NSC) Staff, US-Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) on POW/MIA, US Chairman General Doc Foglesong, USAF (Ret), and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, USA, all responded positively to the League’s invitation. Numerous senior officials from the Military Services, Ambassadors from key counterpart countries and prominent former officials who have been with us for decades also planned to attend. In addition, the Vietnam War Annual Government Briefings (AGBs) were to be held in conjunction with remarks given by officials from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director, LTG Scott Berrier, USA, and DIA’s Stony Beach Team, and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL).
update_to_all_members_7-7-22.pdf
CHAIRMAN/CEO MESSASGE
July 7, 2022
I am writing this note to introduce the beautiful program that was to be distributed at our 52nd Annual Meeting, long scheduled for June 22-25 th . As you will see in the program, senior officials from the State Department, National Security Council (NSC) Staff, US-Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) on POW/MIA, US Chairman General Doc Foglesong, USAF (Ret), and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, USA, all responded positively to the League’s invitation. Numerous senior officials from the Military Services, Ambassadors from key counterpart countries and prominent former officials who have been with us for decades also planned to attend. In addition, the Vietnam War Annual Government Briefings (AGBs) were to be held in conjunction with remarks given by officials from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director, LTG Scott Berrier, USA, and DIA’s Stony Beach Team, and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL).
update_to_all_members_7-7-22.pdf
PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM ANN MILLS-GRIFFITHS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD/CEO
May 19, 2022
It is imperative that you do your very best to make the 52nd Annual Meeting this year. Never has there been a more important time for the POW/MIA families to show determination and strength. The dates are June 22-25 and we’ve extended the registration deadline until June 1 st . The Hilton Crystal City Hotel has also extended their reservation deadline to get the special rates contracted long ago. This message is long overdue! The reason? I was trying to have more positive information to share but, in reality, nearly everything has been an uphill battle. Sadly, the challenges include getting timely updates from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the organization that the League was instrumental in helping form in December 2013, into early 2014. At that time, false allegations and misplaced assertions were running rampant, and Congress held numerous hearings in the fall of 2013. It became abundantly clear that major changes had to be made or Congress would assert itself and decide what was best. That potential caused grave concern over what the outcome might be.
May 19, 2022
It is imperative that you do your very best to make the 52nd Annual Meeting this year. Never has there been a more important time for the POW/MIA families to show determination and strength. The dates are June 22-25 and we’ve extended the registration deadline until June 1 st . The Hilton Crystal City Hotel has also extended their reservation deadline to get the special rates contracted long ago. This message is long overdue! The reason? I was trying to have more positive information to share but, in reality, nearly everything has been an uphill battle. Sadly, the challenges include getting timely updates from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the organization that the League was instrumental in helping form in December 2013, into early 2014. At that time, false allegations and misplaced assertions were running rampant, and Congress held numerous hearings in the fall of 2013. It became abundantly clear that major changes had to be made or Congress would assert itself and decide what was best. That potential caused grave concern over what the outcome might be.
In Castlewood, VA, the Russell County Board of Supervisors honored SFC Fred Taylor - a Castlewood native listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War. You can read a story and see pictures here (https://wcyb.com/news/local/castlewood-intersection-named-in-honor-of-service-member-missing-in-action) and below is a picture of SFC Taylor.
The Misty Experiment
The movie "The Misty Experiment" has been chosen for national distribution by American Public Television (APT).
The film has been offered this month to public television stations across the country by Maryland Public Television. It needs your help getting it shown on TV screens across the country on or near Memorial Day Weekend.
1. Find the contact information for your local station through the American Public Television (APT) website here: https://aptonline.org/pages/viewers/Index-Stations+Near+You
The film has been offered this month to public television stations across the country by Maryland Public Television. It needs your help getting it shown on TV screens across the country on or near Memorial Day Weekend.
1. Find the contact information for your local station through the American Public Television (APT) website here: https://aptonline.org/pages/viewers/Index-Stations+Near+You
On March 29th, we ran a fundraiser on Facebook for the 1,584 Americans waiting to come home from the Vietnam War. We set our goal at $1,584. Thanks to all of you who donated, we beat that goal by nearly $1,000!
Honoring President Reagan on President's Day 2022
President's Day Weekend reminds us of the deep gratitude the National League of POW/MIA Families owes to one very special President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Without President Reagan's commitment to bring home America's military and civilian personnel not returned after the Paris Peace Accords were signed January 27, 1973, current priority on accounting for our unreturned Vietnam Veterans would not exist. For that matter, neither would the League!
President Reagan's commitment and determination, implemented by his incredible team of Vietnam Veterans serving in key positions in the White House/National Security Council, Department of Defense and State Department, the POW/MIA families' quest for answers would have disappeared by 1981. Our strongest supporters and advocates were the major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) - Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and Jewish War Veterans (JWV). Their collective influence carried great impact at home and abroad, more recently augmented by the viable contributions of Special Operations Association (SOA) and Special Forces Association (SFA)!
On this President's Day Weekend, the POW/MIA families, America's Veterans, all now serving, and the American people - regardless of political or policy differences - should pause to recognize President Ronald Reagan for his principled effort to ensure that our country truly stands behind those who serve. America now seriously implements "Leave No Man Behind" as a commitment to all currently serving our Nation."
Ann Mills-Griffiths
Chairman of the Board/CEO
National League of POW/MIA Families
President's Day Weekend reminds us of the deep gratitude the National League of POW/MIA Families owes to one very special President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Without President Reagan's commitment to bring home America's military and civilian personnel not returned after the Paris Peace Accords were signed January 27, 1973, current priority on accounting for our unreturned Vietnam Veterans would not exist. For that matter, neither would the League!
President Reagan's commitment and determination, implemented by his incredible team of Vietnam Veterans serving in key positions in the White House/National Security Council, Department of Defense and State Department, the POW/MIA families' quest for answers would have disappeared by 1981. Our strongest supporters and advocates were the major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) - Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and Jewish War Veterans (JWV). Their collective influence carried great impact at home and abroad, more recently augmented by the viable contributions of Special Operations Association (SOA) and Special Forces Association (SFA)!
On this President's Day Weekend, the POW/MIA families, America's Veterans, all now serving, and the American people - regardless of political or policy differences - should pause to recognize President Ronald Reagan for his principled effort to ensure that our country truly stands behind those who serve. America now seriously implements "Leave No Man Behind" as a commitment to all currently serving our Nation."
Ann Mills-Griffiths
Chairman of the Board/CEO
National League of POW/MIA Families
American Legion Post 176 located in Springfield, Virginia. Photos taken by
Northern Virginia Coordinator Cesar Giorffino,
who is also a member of Post 176. Thank You!
Northern Virginia Coordinator Cesar Giorffino,
who is also a member of Post 176. Thank You!
Sent in by John Stryker "Tilt" Myer, now living in White Bluff, TN - Thank You!
Newsletter to Inactive Family Members: June 7, 2021
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE:
It will soon be two full years since we gathered to celebrate the League’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting in June 2019. Inspiring and motivational as it was to have with us so many near-legendary former officials attesting to 50 years of League efforts seeking answers, many challenges were already apparent, and others were building. I waited much too long to share my thoughts on where things stand. despite my concern over serious disappointment on impacted family members, countless veterans and other dedicated Americans who’ve been key to sustaining the League all these years, I can wait no longer, .
Click to continue reading Chairman's message!
league_newsletter_to_inactive__nok_6-7-21.pdf
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE:
It will soon be two full years since we gathered to celebrate the League’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting in June 2019. Inspiring and motivational as it was to have with us so many near-legendary former officials attesting to 50 years of League efforts seeking answers, many challenges were already apparent, and others were building. I waited much too long to share my thoughts on where things stand. despite my concern over serious disappointment on impacted family members, countless veterans and other dedicated Americans who’ve been key to sustaining the League all these years, I can wait no longer, .
Click to continue reading Chairman's message!
league_newsletter_to_inactive__nok_6-7-21.pdf
