KY State Coordinator, and former League Board Member, Cindy Stonebraker, spoke at Moore Magnet School as part of their Veterans Day program. Moore Magnet School is located in Clarksville, TN
On Saturday , November 9th, KY State Coordinator, and former League Board Member, Cindy Stonebraker, served as the Guest of Honor and speaker at the 244th Marine Birthday Ball in Paducah KY.
Navy League in Jacksonville recognized POWs and MIA
a very meaningful Missing Man Honors Table for their "Gathering in the Pines" event on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Thanks to Mike Cassada, Executive Director, and the staff and Board of their organization
Indianapolis POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony. Board Member and Indiana State Coordinator Joseph B. Stuart was the keynote speaker. This was also the first year the National League of POW/MIA Families had a display table setup in the Indiana War Memorial for this event together with other VSOs and support groups.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Friday, the 20th of September, 2019
the Pentagon
National League of POW/MIA Families
CEREMONY
in Bend, Oregon
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
ceremony hosted by DPAA at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii
09.20.2019
wreath laying at the Wall in elizabethtown, ky
POW/MIA recognition day 9-20-19
vets from the Guard American legion post 113 Vietnam vets of america took part in the ceremony
Aboard USS Constitution “Old Ironsides”, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA
In their security entry station
Georgia Salutes our POW/MIA's 2019
MIA families at The Ride Home at Warner Robins AFB 9/19/2019
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Pam Cain, Board member & families at Warner Robins AFB.
MIA families at The Ride Home attending yesterday’s program at Warner Robins. Later, the start of their 24 hr Run. Doing a lap with our flag. What an honor.
On Memorial Day, 2019, the nonprofit Bend Heroes Foundation requested Central Oregon’s state legislators to sponsor legislation designating U.S. Highway 26 as “POW/MIA Memorial Highway”. At 471 miles in length, U.S. Hwy 26 is the longest highway in Oregon and stretches from the Oregon coast near Seaside to the Oregon/Idaho border at Nyssa. The House and Senate voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 3452 during June. Governor Kate Brown signed HB 3452 into law on July 23 with a ceremonial signing on Sept. 16. The law will become effective on January 1, 2020. The law requires ODOT to install POW/MIA Memorial Highway signs paid for by veterans.
The purpose of the POW/MIA Memorial Highway is to honor Oregon’s over 600 former WWI and WWII Prisoners of War (POWs), almost 200 POWs who died in captivity during WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars and 1,000 Oregonians who still remain Missing in Action (MIA) or “Unaccounted-For” from WWI to the Vietnam War, educate the traveling public and let the families of POWs and MIAs know Oregon supports their hopes and prayers for the return of their loved one’s remains. The 1,000 MIAs are: WWI/21, WWII/887, Korean War/57, Cold War/2 and Vietnam War/33.
The purpose of the POW/MIA Memorial Highway is to honor Oregon’s over 600 former WWI and WWII Prisoners of War (POWs), almost 200 POWs who died in captivity during WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars and 1,000 Oregonians who still remain Missing in Action (MIA) or “Unaccounted-For” from WWI to the Vietnam War, educate the traveling public and let the families of POWs and MIAs know Oregon supports their hopes and prayers for the return of their loved one’s remains. The 1,000 MIAs are: WWI/21, WWII/887, Korean War/57, Cold War/2 and Vietnam War/33.
The League's POW/MIA flag flying at a Minnesota and a South Dakota rest stop. Photo Credit: Robin Olsen
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The Traveling Wall in Surprise, AZ Photo Credit Terry Bartels
CDR Richard Buell, USN
National POW/MIA Recognition Day DLA, Columbus, Ohio September 15, 2017 Thank you Jiwon, and as she mentioned, I am fortunate and blessed to return to work at DLA Land and Maritime. I have attended and observed many of these ceremonies throughout my career and in this building and have always left satisfied and moved. As a rule, I have always declined an active role in these ceremonies, because I feel strongly that as one who serves, the spotlight should not be on me, but on the families as a whole who share losses like mine. I have tried to keep my naval career separate from my father’s career. *Brief personal story about meeting VADM Stockdale 16 October 1987 w/ my mother Mary Buell Because I have set a new course towards retirement in May of next year, I am willing to waive my personal convictions to keep my career distinctly separate from my father’s legacy. I ask for your patience as I work to find the right words and to speak about something that is important, but difficult to talk about for me. But as they say, nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and as with service to this great nation, we should always be “all in.” So, greetings to all and my sincere thanks for joining together on this National Day of Recognition for our POW/MIAs. As the son of an MIA, I have used this ceremony every year as a vehicle to provide myself an opportunity, much like yourselves, to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of our service men and women and their families who suffered great pain until their release was won or their remains were returned to American soil. In either case, it is the knowledge that fellow citizens like yourselves, here in the audience, have not forgotten about them that provides the inspiration needed for a POW and the family of an MIA to persevere. As you saw in the video, DPAA manages the records for all American servicemen and women still missing and otherwise unaccounted for since World War II. According to their website, that count is 82,477. For the Vietnam War in particular, the number of missing is currently at 1,602, down from 2,646 at the end of the conflict. Every one of those 1,602 has a family and story worth telling. My dad is one of those 1,602. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to speak about him today as it serves to keep his memory alive, while shining a beacon of light on the other families of MIAs who have their own stories to share. My father, LCDR Kenneth Richard Buell, was lost 45 years ago the day after tomorrow, on September 17th 1972. He was flying right seat serving as Bombardier Navigator on board an A-6 Intruder, launched on a night time attack mission from the USS AMERICA (CVA 66) over North Vietnam. He was 33 years old. I was five, my sister, Susan, was 8 and my mother, Mary, who never re-married, was 28. That day changed my family forever. But I would offer to you that where there can be despair, you can always find hope. Hope, for me, that is kindled by the knowledge that this nation will never rest until everyone who was taken prisoner or went missing while fighting for their country, will be accounted for. Forty Five years is a long time to not know what happened to your loved one, but as you heard in the DPAA video, there are families that have waited longer than ours. I would be lying to you if I said I have not experienced feelings of despair or frustration or anger or some combination of emotions that cannot be put into words here, as we wait for any news of his return. However, I chose and continue to choose to be optimistic about my family’s circumstances. I choose hope. I would argue I am stronger because of the challenges that life put in my path. My spirit and resolve is strengthened because I have witnessed far too many fine service members and fellow citizens, like yourselves, that share my concerns and stand the watch with me until the day comes that they are all returned. As mentioned earlier, the DPAA, in concert with the Naval Personnel Command, Navy POW/MIA Branch, maintain a record for my father, as they do with all MIAs, which is filed as case number 1924. As the record shows: “On September 17, 1972, an A-6 Intruder (call sign: Ray Gun 504) with a crew of two embarked on a solo nighttime armed reconnaissance mission over northern Vietnam. Final radio contact with the pilot, CDR Verne G. Donnelly, the skipper of Attack Squadron 35, occurred at 0150 hrs as he approached North Vietnamese air space. [This milestone is routinely reported by aircrews as they transition from “feet wet” when they launch from a carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin, to “feet dry” when they are over land in enemy territory]. Seven minutes later another aircraft operating at a higher altitude in the area, reported seeing an orange explosion on the route the A-6 should have been following. A search and rescue effort was launched but had no success.” Other redacted reports released many years later provided a little more detail indicating that they “launched on a combat mission over the vicinity of Hai Duong, North Vietnam. As the aircraft was about eight miles west of that city, it went down, and both crew men were declared Missing in Action. No remains were recovered.” I want to stop here with the chronological sequence of events and paint a picture for you that may be hard to hear, but when an aircraft is flying low and fast at night, fully loaded with 500 pound bombs, evading enemy fire as they race towards their target, later released to be an electrical power plant, bad things happen. Whether they were blown out of the sky or juked into a mountain while evading incoming fire, we will never know. Because of some personal experiences everyone in my family had after that day, I can tell you we all knew or had an intuition that he was gone that night. The case goes cold here for the better part of 20 years. About six and a half years after his loss, we received a letter from the Department of the Navy, Naval Personnel Command, in March of 1978, expressing their deepest condolences for our loss on behalf of a grateful nation. Along with the letter was a Report of Casualty document, DD Form 1300, that changed his status from Missing in Action to presumed Killed in Action (KIA). “Presumption of death was made in accordance with the Missing Persons Act, 37 USCA 555.” I did not know it at the time, but this was the moment we became a gold star family. Although the Navy offered, my mother understandably chose not to have a ceremony to receive the package of medals, certificates and other documents affiliated with the declaration of death. I remember the day we pulled up to a U.S. government building near our home in California. Mom went inside as I waited with my sister, Susan, in the car. She returned with a set of his medals they had mounted for us. The decorations included the Purple Heart, the Air Defense Medal with a strike/flight device numeral 4, National Defense Service Medal, Antarctica Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and an Expert Pistol Shot Medal. She has them displayed prominently in her home today. The rest of the story is recorded in my father’s case file 1924. I would be remiss not to mention that all the MIA families would know very little about their loved ones if not for the relentless efforts of the National League of POW/MIA Families to keep our nation’s leaders focused on this worthy cause. A cause that can often fall out political favor and experience funding shortfalls or other damaging shifting priorities experienced at the DPAA. Following the restoration of diplomatic ties with Vietnam in the early 1990s, teams from the Joint Task Force Full Accounting began travelling to Vietnam, following leads and interviewing possible eyewitnesses to the incident. The family case summary document they maintain for my father is five pages long today. Because of their efforts on behalf our government, the efforts of my grandparents Buell who never stopped pushing for answers working closely with Liz Flick here, the un-waivering pursuit for action and closure by my family, and the support of the National League of POW/MIA families, we know a lot more today than we did 45 years ago. I will save the summary of my father’s case file for the end of my remarks, but first, allow me the privilege of briefly telling the story of my father’s naval career, in the spirit of keeping his memory alive and in keeping with the tenants of this National Day of Recognition. Ken Buell was born in Louisville, KY in August of 1939 [he would have been 78 years old this year]. He was the only child born to my late grandparents Louis and Elizabeth Buell. After things didn’t work out at Purdue University, he joined the Navy as an enlisted sailor going to boot camp in Great Lakes, IL in 1959. As the story goes, he was asked if he wanted to take some achievement tests by his company commander. He concluded it would get him out of marching and shoveling snow so he agreed. A few months later, he learned that he was offered an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and he joined the class of 1963. These were the best days of my dad's life. He loved being a midshipman. It was also the period in time when he met my mother on a blind date during his Youngster Cruise during Fleet Week in NYC. As my mother tells me, it was love at first sight. He was commissioned and married in June 1963. Following a cross-country road trip honeymoon, he reported for Pensacola and transitioned into Naval Flight Officer training, receiving his wings at Corpus Christi, Texas. His first duty station was with the Airborne Early Warning Squadron (AEWRON) Thirteen (VW-13), navigating the Lockheed Warning Star aircraft. They flew missile detection missions around the Arctic Circle out of Argentia, Newfoundland. This was an accompanied tour and my mother who joined him there joked that anything bigger than a couple feet off the ground in Newfoundland was man made. Many other “Newfie” jokes exist but I will spare you. My only sibling, Susan, arrived during this tour in May of 1964. With the advent of satellite surveillance technology, he was reassigned as navigator to the Navy’s Antarctic Experimental Patrol Squadron, called the Ice Pirates or AIRDEVRON SIX (VX-6) located at Quontset Point Naval Air Station, Rhode Island. They were less formally and affectionately referred to as the “Puckered Penguins” and fell under Operation Deep Freeze, Task Force 43, flying the ice-rigged C-130s. He wintered over in Antarctica and spoke about enjoying his time hanging out in his orange exposure suit with the Emperor penguins. My mother tells a story of his return from Antarctica when she cooked him his favorite meal...a steak dinner. She did not know that steak was the staple daily entree in a place that had a meat freezer that needed no electricity. Needless to say he did not care for the offering along with some other words that I will not share now. It was during this tour that I arrived in March of 1967. His next and final assignment was with attack squadron 35 (VA-35). Dubbed the black panthers, they were stationed at NAS Oceana Virginia. I remember him being gone for periods of time while training in preparation for a deployment scheduled for the Mediterranean in the spring of 1972. We had plans to meet up with him when his ship, USS AMERICA, was scheduled to pull into Athens, Greece. As history records, those plans changed. The aircraft carrier was diverted to the Gulf of Tonkin along with several other aircraft carriers to bolster bombing missions while negotiations for peace continued without agreement. |
I do not have many memories of my father. I was Kindergartener when the Casualty Assistance Calls Officers knocked on our door in Virginia Beach to break the news that he was missing. Believe it or not, I remember that period of my life as being happy for the most part. I have some vague memories of watching him work in the garage on our white ‘65 fastback Mustang and our metallic green ‘66 Mercury Cougar. I remember him being gone a lot, but he always came home. The day of his departure on what would be his final deployment was especially memorable for me. I remember watching him say goodbye to my Mother from the back seat of our car parked on the pier next to the USS AMERICA in Norfolk, VA. Something was different about the tone of the conversation and the way he looked at us...the way he held on a little longer than usual when we said goodbye...I remember watching him walk across the pier with his sea bag and as he crossed to step up on the gangway he shielded his face with his arm. My mother later told me that she and my father both seemed to know that because of world events and the nature of A-6 attack missions, that this deployment felt particularly ominous. She said they struggled with words before he left as apparently dad too felt this may not end well for him. But he went. While many protested the war, he left his family that day to do his job. He chose to serve in a time of war. I have no words for the respect I have for his choice to deploy to war that day. I believe now that my life was blessed. Unlike my dad, I had the opportunity to watch my children grow up. [They are not here today because they are both in college and working]. This lesson, along with a call to serve, was one of many gifts my father gave to myself and my family. So now the rest of the story. On 05 Feb 1991, the U.S. announced that remains returned by the Vietnamese had been positively identified as those of CDR Verne G. Donnelly, the pilot on that mission with my dad. Those remains were later buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. Obviously, this left more questions than answers for my family. Since then, nearly a dozen different Joint Field Activity (JFA) Teams have travelled to Vietnam between 1994 and 2012 searching for the crash site of their plane. None of these trips were easy. None of these trips were inexpensive. Vietnam is the most expensive area for teams to operate due to the diplomatic hurdles, clearances and associated costs to work there. According to my father’s case file, in November 2012, a JFA recovery team was sent to Vietnam to dig on a mountainside near the Cam Ly village, Luc Nam district, Bac Giang province. The recovery team’s trip was the culmination of 10 other JFA Team trips to Vietnam, pursuing leads and often running into dead ends. The team excavated 585 square meters encompassing what was determined to be the crash debris site associated with case 1924. The crash site was adjacent to the area where CDR Donnelly’s remains were reported to be buried in a shallow grave on the night of their crash. I will spare you the gruesome details of those eyewitness accounts recorded in his file. The recovery team worked on the crash site from 1-20 November 2012 and reported the recovery of a few pieces of aircraft wreckage, closed the site, and recommended no further excavation. The case has gone cold, but there is still hope. There is the possibility that the human remains identified to be CDR Donnelly and buried in San Diego, were co-mingled with some of my father’s remains. Before their passing, I was able to collect a sample of his mother’s MtDNA along with DNA samples now on file from myself, my sister and my mother. I recently formally requested the disinterment of those remains to have them re-evaluated by DPAA. An identification is now possible using the DNA technology that was not available when the identification of CDR Donnelly’s remains was made in 1991. As of today, Ken Buell is still classified as one of the 1,602 Americans listed as MIA, body not recovered. You can find him memorialized on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. along with a placard hung on the wall of Bancroft Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy by the class of 1963. I still attend National League of POW MIA Family annual update meetings to network with similar families and obtain the latest news about my father’s case. There is still no grave for my father, but we have a nation that spends its energy and resources to never forget those left behind. They were never forgotten by my family and god willing they will all someday come home. I still have hope that case 1924 will conclude with the positive identification of my father’s remains. We will have the closure we need as a family and another MIA will be accounted for. I thank you again for allowing me to share my story. May God continue to bless America, and as my Mom taught me to say, “Go Navy! Beat Army!” |
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Lc Hayden:
I’ve been working on the dedication and information page for my upcoming release, What Lies Beyond the Fence. Bronson works closely with a teen named Roger Cobb Hallberg. Together, along with another teen, Norma Orr Karsteter, they go on a great adventure that will save a lot of people’s lives. I had fun writing this book, but all of this time, the name Roger Cobb Hallberg kept tagging at the back of my mind. You see, Roger is a real life hero. Back in 1967 he made a sacrifice so that you and I can keep enjoying our freedom and our way of life. Roger is a MIA (Missing in Action.) His sister, Anne Hallberg Holt won the drawing held by the National League of Families of the POW/MIA’s to have a character named after a loved one in one of my books. As a result, I never thought much about how the families of the MIA’s and POW’s suffer–an ongoing pain that only grows as time marches. Now I’m a bit more aware and it’s with great honor and humility that I dedicate this book to Roger Cobb Hallberg and all of the other MIA’s and their loved ones. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. May God be with you all. Follow Lc to get her public posts in your News Feed. |
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John Linstra with VFW National in Kansas carved these marvelous pumpkins and was kind enough to share with us!
Ms. Katie S. at the Busch Gardens POW/MIA monument June 12, 2016 in Tampa, FL.
Artist: Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II – The Freedom Rock®
The Freedom Rock is a large (approx. 60+ ton) boulder located in rural Iowa that is repainted every year with a different Thank You for our nations Veterans to honor their service to our country. The artist, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, was inspired by the movie Saving Private Ryan, as well as, wanting to give Veterans a unique recognition on Memorial Day. Sorensen paints The Freedom Rock on his own with the tremendous support of family and friends. Sorensen is not commissioned to paint the rock but is able to do so each year with the generous help of donations.
Every Memorial Day, Mr. Sorenson paints a new mural. People come from all over the United States and foreign countries to see it. There are photos of murals from years past nearby and a guest book for visitors to sign. And it has turned into something much more than a painted rock. Please visit the website at http://www.thefreedomrock.com/
The Freedom Rock is a large (approx. 60+ ton) boulder located in rural Iowa that is repainted every year with a different Thank You for our nations Veterans to honor their service to our country. The artist, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, was inspired by the movie Saving Private Ryan, as well as, wanting to give Veterans a unique recognition on Memorial Day. Sorensen paints The Freedom Rock on his own with the tremendous support of family and friends. Sorensen is not commissioned to paint the rock but is able to do so each year with the generous help of donations.
Every Memorial Day, Mr. Sorenson paints a new mural. People come from all over the United States and foreign countries to see it. There are photos of murals from years past nearby and a guest book for visitors to sign. And it has turned into something much more than a painted rock. Please visit the website at http://www.thefreedomrock.com/
An inspiring note the League received October 20, 2015:
Greetings from Alaska,
My name is Kirk Alkire, and I want to share a few things with you and the organization.
I live in Eagle River, Alaska which is a short few miles from Mount POW/MIA. I see it all the time and hike to the summit a few times a year to pay my respects – and to replace the flag that flies there year round.
I climbed it twice this week (Sunday and Monday) mainly because I thought I could easily find a new flag Sunday morning at the local stores in my area to take up with me. Sadly, I had no luck which really bothered me that the huge named retail stores were more concerned about their Christmas inventory than keeping the POW/MIA flag in stock.
Monday morning, I went to our local military base and easily found the flag there. Before leaving the store, I ran into the manager of the store and told him how disappointed I was about the local stores, he told me to never worry about finding one or purchasing one, that they would donate the flag for my annual trip. Super proud moment for me!
I am a retired First Sergeant from the U.S. Army. During my time in Iraq in 2007-2008, I lost a number of Soldiers in combat. I also had Soldiers that were awarded the POW Medal because of combat operations that happened on 20 Jan 2007. So for me, it is a personal journey to the top of Mount POW/MIA because of four Soldiers I lost that day: 1LT Jacob Fritz, SPC Johnathan Chism, PFC Shawn Falter and PFC Jonathon Millican
With that, I just wanted to report to you the status of the flag on the mountain and that we here have NOT FORGOTTEN.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Alkire
1SG(Ret), US Army
Eagle River, Alaska
An addendum:
I would like to also make the correction that my journey to the top is not just about my four Soldiers, but for all that were ever a POW and for the countless numbers that are still listed as MIA. The mountain is so very special and powerful in so many ways. As the only one of its kind, and that it isn’t an easily accessible climb, which to me helps preserve it as special place. Those that do climb it, do it out of honor and respect which is something I really enjoy about it.
Greetings from Alaska,
My name is Kirk Alkire, and I want to share a few things with you and the organization.
I live in Eagle River, Alaska which is a short few miles from Mount POW/MIA. I see it all the time and hike to the summit a few times a year to pay my respects – and to replace the flag that flies there year round.
I climbed it twice this week (Sunday and Monday) mainly because I thought I could easily find a new flag Sunday morning at the local stores in my area to take up with me. Sadly, I had no luck which really bothered me that the huge named retail stores were more concerned about their Christmas inventory than keeping the POW/MIA flag in stock.
Monday morning, I went to our local military base and easily found the flag there. Before leaving the store, I ran into the manager of the store and told him how disappointed I was about the local stores, he told me to never worry about finding one or purchasing one, that they would donate the flag for my annual trip. Super proud moment for me!
I am a retired First Sergeant from the U.S. Army. During my time in Iraq in 2007-2008, I lost a number of Soldiers in combat. I also had Soldiers that were awarded the POW Medal because of combat operations that happened on 20 Jan 2007. So for me, it is a personal journey to the top of Mount POW/MIA because of four Soldiers I lost that day: 1LT Jacob Fritz, SPC Johnathan Chism, PFC Shawn Falter and PFC Jonathon Millican
With that, I just wanted to report to you the status of the flag on the mountain and that we here have NOT FORGOTTEN.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Alkire
1SG(Ret), US Army
Eagle River, Alaska
An addendum:
I would like to also make the correction that my journey to the top is not just about my four Soldiers, but for all that were ever a POW and for the countless numbers that are still listed as MIA. The mountain is so very special and powerful in so many ways. As the only one of its kind, and that it isn’t an easily accessible climb, which to me helps preserve it as special place. Those that do climb it, do it out of honor and respect which is something I really enjoy about it.
From a WWII family member:
My Uncle, P.F.C. Bernard Gavrin was killed during the second World War at the battle of Saipan. He was MIA until 70 years later when his dog tags and partial remains were uncovered by A Japanese non-profit organization. Being the eldest living relative and qualified to submit my DNA for identification purposes, it was ruled a match 8 months later and he was buried at Arlington Cemetery on September 12, 2014.In honor of his memory and those still not identified and brought home, I wrote the following poem.
Bring Them Home
The debt we owe those who answered the call,
Can Never be repaid.
While they repose in a far off land,
As memories begin to fade.
Bring them home to those they loved,
No matter what the cost.
Attach a name to an unknown one,
Before memories are lost.
The task remains the test of time,
But one that must be met.
Or they can never rest in peace,
And we must never forget.
They fought, they died, they served us well,
Wherever they did roam,
But those who care can never rest,
Until we bring them home.
David H. Rogers
My Uncle, P.F.C. Bernard Gavrin was killed during the second World War at the battle of Saipan. He was MIA until 70 years later when his dog tags and partial remains were uncovered by A Japanese non-profit organization. Being the eldest living relative and qualified to submit my DNA for identification purposes, it was ruled a match 8 months later and he was buried at Arlington Cemetery on September 12, 2014.In honor of his memory and those still not identified and brought home, I wrote the following poem.
Bring Them Home
The debt we owe those who answered the call,
Can Never be repaid.
While they repose in a far off land,
As memories begin to fade.
Bring them home to those they loved,
No matter what the cost.
Attach a name to an unknown one,
Before memories are lost.
The task remains the test of time,
But one that must be met.
Or they can never rest in peace,
And we must never forget.
They fought, they died, they served us well,
Wherever they did roam,
But those who care can never rest,
Until we bring them home.
David H. Rogers
Eagle Scout Project in Hollister, CA
Jarod Solis designed this new sign for Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex in Hollister for his Eagle Scout project. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 436. This sign replaced the old sign at the entrance to the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex in Hollister. Jarod’s project was completed on October 4, 2014 with several members of local VFW Post 9242 attending the completion of the project.
POW/MIA FLAG IN US CAPITOL ROTUNDA: With unanimous bipartisan
support in the 100th Congress, the League's POW/MIA Flag was installed
in the US Capitol Rotunda on March 9, 1989. Since that date, it has been displayed
"as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for US personnel still
missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War." The 101st Congress also passed
bipartisan legislation recognizing our POW/MIA flag and designating it "the symbol
of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates
of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia."
Chairman's Comment: Media coverage of the lawless intrusion at the US Capitol
on January 6th clearly showed our POW/MIA flag on display. It is important for all
to understand that the accounting mission our POW/MIA flag represents is bipartisan-
supported and has been since the League was formed on May 28, 1970.
support in the 100th Congress, the League's POW/MIA Flag was installed
in the US Capitol Rotunda on March 9, 1989. Since that date, it has been displayed
"as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for US personnel still
missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War." The 101st Congress also passed
bipartisan legislation recognizing our POW/MIA flag and designating it "the symbol
of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates
of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia."
Chairman's Comment: Media coverage of the lawless intrusion at the US Capitol
on January 6th clearly showed our POW/MIA flag on display. It is important for all
to understand that the accounting mission our POW/MIA flag represents is bipartisan-
supported and has been since the League was formed on May 28, 1970.
Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation
12123 Shelbyville Road
Suite 100
Louisville, Kentucky 40243
Operation H.R.S “Horse”:
Showing the horses America made, for the men and women who made America
The Woody Williams Foundations has partnered with the United Professional
Horsemen’s Association UPHA, North Carolina, Chapter 12 to launch Operation H.R.S.
“Horse” to Honor, Recognize, and Serve the Gold Star Families and the legacy of their
Loved Ones.
On September 16-19th the UPHA will be hosting their UPHA Chapter 12 North
Carolina State Championship Horse Show, held in Raleigh, NC. This event includes
over 400 equine athletes and equestrians competing for the coveted title of champion.
Each participant will ride in honor of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for
our freedom, so they will never be forgotten.
September 18th is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The Woody Williams Foundation
and the UPHA would like to set aside part of that night to pay tribute to our Nation’s
POW/MIAs, those still missing or otherwise unaccounted for. Upon check in, each
participant will receive a card with information about and a photo of the unreturned
Veteran they will be honoring during their ride. Each Loved One’s name and photo
will be displayed, read aloud, and honored during the competition. Unfortunately,
due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are severe restrictions on attendance. The good
news is that this show will be live-streamed so that all can watch and be a part
of the event.
Attached is a JotForm link and an event overview for you to submit your
Loved One’s information. This information will only be used for the purpose of
honoring and recognizing your Loved Ones who served our National and have not
yet returned during this UPHA competition. After the event, we will be mailing
each family mementos. If you would like to receive that, please include a mailing
address in the below link.
(In the Additional Information field, please note that your Loved One is POW/MIA
or KIA/BNR, unreturned from serving our Nation.)
https://form.jotform.com/202307380287049
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
This is a great opportunity to bring awareness to the POW/MIA issue and to
help renew our Nation’s commitment to the Fullest Possible Accounting, to bring
home as many as possible of our Unreturned Veterans.
Kindest regards,
Cindy Stonebraker
Assistant Director of Programs
931-241-1893
MIA Daughter
Lt. Col. Kenneth Stonebraker, USAF
MIA – 10/18/1968
powmia_families_hrs.pdf
Rolling Thunder, Inc.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is September 18th YOU Are Not Forgotten.
On September 18, 2020, Americans will have the solemn privilege to honor
our military service personnel who became Prisoners-of-War or Missing-in-Action
(POW/MIA) while serving in conflicts around the world. Today, Since World War II –
more than 81,900 U.S. Servicemembers remain missing and unaccounted for.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day – “Remembrance Day” – is about an American
Responsibility to pause and honor and remember our fellow Americans who never
returned home – to simultaneously honor and remember their families and loved
ones who live lives of unending sadness and without any sense of closure.
pow_mia_recognition_day_2020_press_release_-_9.2.20.pdf
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is September 18th YOU Are Not Forgotten.
On September 18, 2020, Americans will have the solemn privilege to honor
our military service personnel who became Prisoners-of-War or Missing-in-Action
(POW/MIA) while serving in conflicts around the world. Today, Since World War II –
more than 81,900 U.S. Servicemembers remain missing and unaccounted for.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day – “Remembrance Day” – is about an American
Responsibility to pause and honor and remember our fellow Americans who never
returned home – to simultaneously honor and remember their families and loved
ones who live lives of unending sadness and without any sense of closure.
pow_mia_recognition_day_2020_press_release_-_9.2.20.pdf
SOAR XLIV October 19-24, 2020 UPDATE
Fellow SOA Members, Friends and Supporters
At the present time the state of Nevada has not announced an official date
concerning reopening Las Vegas. With SOAR still over six months away the S
OA Board of Directors believes it is best practice to wait for health professionals
to provide the guidance and institute procedures which will provide maximum
safety for everyone. There is no hurry, we have plenty of time. Our current intent
is to conduct SOAR in October as planned and put on the best SOAR ever.
Rick Estes and the SOA Board of Directors
Fellow SOA Members, Friends and Supporters
At the present time the state of Nevada has not announced an official date
concerning reopening Las Vegas. With SOAR still over six months away the S
OA Board of Directors believes it is best practice to wait for health professionals
to provide the guidance and institute procedures which will provide maximum
safety for everyone. There is no hurry, we have plenty of time. Our current intent
is to conduct SOAR in October as planned and put on the best SOAR ever.
- SOAR XLIV is scheduled for October 19-24, 2020
- On line registration dates will be transmitted to members as as soon as the state of Nevada and Las Vegas have officially reopened for business.
- Those who would like to sign up for the SOA Author's book signing event please contact Clyde Sincere at: cjjrsincere@gmail.com
- Video History interviews for members will be conducted at SOAR per standard procedures. If you desire an interview, please contact Dennis Cummings: djc106@aol.com
- The Special Operations Association is seeking assistance locating family members of the 140 of our brothers-in-arms, who would have been eligible to join the Special Operations Association, but are still either missing and unaccounted-for or Killed in Action/body not recovered. If you would like to assist or know someone who could help find these family members please contact Bonnie Cooper: coop553@bellsouth.net
- We will provide updates as information becomes available.
- We ask our members who are in contact with our brothers who do not communicate by computer, would they please pass on the information, and that the registration and reunion information in the PRP is subject to change.
Rick Estes and the SOA Board of Directors
THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CAMBODIA, W. PATRICK MURPHY, POSES
FOR A PHOTO WITH A DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY (DPAA) RECOVERY TEAM DURING A DPAA RECOVERY MISSION IN RATANAKIRI PROVINCE,
CAMBODIA, FEB. 1, 2020. DURING
HIS VISIT MURPHY SPOKE WITH
DPAA RECOVERY TEAM MEMBERS, LOCAL NATIONALS AND
WITNESSED THE RECOVERY
EFFORTS FOR A MISSING U.S. SERVICE MEMBER LOST DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. DPAA’S
MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE ACCOUNTING OF OUR MISSING PERSONNEL TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THE NATION.
(U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. RUSTY FRANK)
FOR A PHOTO WITH A DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY (DPAA) RECOVERY TEAM DURING A DPAA RECOVERY MISSION IN RATANAKIRI PROVINCE,
CAMBODIA, FEB. 1, 2020. DURING
HIS VISIT MURPHY SPOKE WITH
DPAA RECOVERY TEAM MEMBERS, LOCAL NATIONALS AND
WITNESSED THE RECOVERY
EFFORTS FOR A MISSING U.S. SERVICE MEMBER LOST DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. DPAA’S
MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE ACCOUNTING OF OUR MISSING PERSONNEL TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THE NATION.
(U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. RUSTY FRANK)
ON FEBRUARY 4, THE RUSSIANS HONORED SEAMAN NIKOLAY DEMIDOFF (DIED FEB 4, 1864) AT ANNAPOLIS NATIONAL CEMETERY. ELENA, NAVAL ATTACHE SERGEY SADCHIKOV, AND THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY SCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDED
USRJC ELIZABETH CITY CEREMONY
|
Mecum Auctions
1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR Auction will be on January 5th, 2020
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0120-407833/1955-chevrolet-bel-air/ |
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'WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU':
EKU, ROLLING THUNDER HONOR POW/MIA VETERANS
EKU, ROLLING THUNDER HONOR POW/MIA VETERANS
Pictured: Chair dedication at Eastern Kentucky University. Brigadier General Benjamin Adams III ( USA Retired, Commissioner of Kentucky Dept of Veterans Affairs. And 3 MIA daughters: Cathy Stringer Robinson, Suzanne Hoff Ogawa and Cindy Stonebraker.
With the help of Eastern Kentucky University and members of Rolling Thunder Chapter 5, a nonprofit state chapter of the national organization, many service men and women who are Prisoners of War - Missing in Action (POW/MIA) will be remembered with the unveiling of the 'Chair of Honor.'
Thursday morning, members of the Rolling Thunder group, EKU and political officials gathered to celebrate and remember those who are POW/MIA and honor them with this new monument.
One of those to be remembered is an EKU alum and ROTC participant, Captain John C. Stringer II, who was last seen attempting to cross a flooded river in South Vietnam on Nov. 30, 1970. His remains have never been recovered, and he is still considered missing in action.
He left behind a daughter, who was two-years-old at the time, named Cathy Stringer-Robinson, who is now a school counselor at Shannon Johnson Elementary, and was instrumental in the implementation of the honor chair. "I read a quote, and I wish I knew who wrote it, but it says, 'A man is never dead, until forgotten.' With the help of Eastern Kentucky University, my dad and many other men and women, will not be forgotten," she said Thursday. She, along with her two "MIA sisters," whose fathers are also still missing, unveiled an empty, solitary stadium chair at the stadium, adorned with POW/MIA and American flags to remember their fathers."Each of these chairs, these single solitary chairs represent the individuality of every American that has been held captive or missing," General Benjamin Adams said. "...There is no specific service emblem associated with the chair, it is reserved for an American who was or is a servant leader.
"One who may yet lie in a shallow grave, who may have been swept away at sea, or whose fate we may only imagine. This chair is set for them, it is reserved. We celebrate their lives, to celebrate their service to reiterate or resolve that we will not forget you."
According to Robinson's speech, the ceremony that took place was more than she could have imagined when she sent her initial email for the idea to the EKU Military and Veteran Affairs Director, Barbara Kent in February."I do want to thank Barbara Kent who has been a workforce for this chair. She jumped on it, and I knew it was going forward no matter what," Robinson said.
She also thanked her father's fraternity brothers, some of which were in attendance, stating they had given her memories to have of her fathers with their stories."For me today this chair has a very personal, important presence in my heart," she said. "...Because of this event today, I have learned more about my dad, because I have no memories." Suzanne Hoff-Ogawa also spoke about her father, Commander Michael George Hoff who was lost on Jan. 7, 1970 after a plane he was on was impacted and exploded. While the family does believe he died that day, Commander Hoff is considered to still be missing in action.
Finally, Cindy Stonebraker spoke in remembrance of her father, Lt. Colonel Kenneth Stonebraker who was lost on Oct. 28, 1968 after leaving for a solo night mission over North Vietnam and he never returned. Two-weeks-ago marked 51 years that her father has been missing in action.
POW/MIA and Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 will again unveil the Chair of Honor in the end zone of Roy Kidd Stadium on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited.
https://www.richmondregister.com/news/lifestyles/we-will-not-forget-you/article_c764c6bc-cb08-55c4-80db-ee4af84e2311.html
.
Thursday morning, members of the Rolling Thunder group, EKU and political officials gathered to celebrate and remember those who are POW/MIA and honor them with this new monument.
One of those to be remembered is an EKU alum and ROTC participant, Captain John C. Stringer II, who was last seen attempting to cross a flooded river in South Vietnam on Nov. 30, 1970. His remains have never been recovered, and he is still considered missing in action.
He left behind a daughter, who was two-years-old at the time, named Cathy Stringer-Robinson, who is now a school counselor at Shannon Johnson Elementary, and was instrumental in the implementation of the honor chair. "I read a quote, and I wish I knew who wrote it, but it says, 'A man is never dead, until forgotten.' With the help of Eastern Kentucky University, my dad and many other men and women, will not be forgotten," she said Thursday. She, along with her two "MIA sisters," whose fathers are also still missing, unveiled an empty, solitary stadium chair at the stadium, adorned with POW/MIA and American flags to remember their fathers."Each of these chairs, these single solitary chairs represent the individuality of every American that has been held captive or missing," General Benjamin Adams said. "...There is no specific service emblem associated with the chair, it is reserved for an American who was or is a servant leader.
"One who may yet lie in a shallow grave, who may have been swept away at sea, or whose fate we may only imagine. This chair is set for them, it is reserved. We celebrate their lives, to celebrate their service to reiterate or resolve that we will not forget you."
According to Robinson's speech, the ceremony that took place was more than she could have imagined when she sent her initial email for the idea to the EKU Military and Veteran Affairs Director, Barbara Kent in February."I do want to thank Barbara Kent who has been a workforce for this chair. She jumped on it, and I knew it was going forward no matter what," Robinson said.
She also thanked her father's fraternity brothers, some of which were in attendance, stating they had given her memories to have of her fathers with their stories."For me today this chair has a very personal, important presence in my heart," she said. "...Because of this event today, I have learned more about my dad, because I have no memories." Suzanne Hoff-Ogawa also spoke about her father, Commander Michael George Hoff who was lost on Jan. 7, 1970 after a plane he was on was impacted and exploded. While the family does believe he died that day, Commander Hoff is considered to still be missing in action.
Finally, Cindy Stonebraker spoke in remembrance of her father, Lt. Colonel Kenneth Stonebraker who was lost on Oct. 28, 1968 after leaving for a solo night mission over North Vietnam and he never returned. Two-weeks-ago marked 51 years that her father has been missing in action.
POW/MIA and Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 will again unveil the Chair of Honor in the end zone of Roy Kidd Stadium on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited.
https://www.richmondregister.com/news/lifestyles/we-will-not-forget-you/article_c764c6bc-cb08-55c4-80db-ee4af84e2311.html
.
POW/MIA FLAG TO FLY AT FEDERAL SITES YEAR ROUND
Airmen stand at attention during the lowering of the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Sept. 20. (Griffin Swartzell/Air Force)
Prominent federal buildings and national war memorials will now fly the iconic POW/MIA flag alongside the American flag throughout the year thanks to legislation signed into law Thursday. The proposal, passed without objection in the House last month and the Senate earlier this year, is designed to help highlight the continued sacrifice of military families whose loved ones are still unaccounted for overseas, estimated at about 82,000 individuals. President Donald Trump finalized the measure on Thursday night. Veterans advocates praised the move as an important message to the entire country.“The daily display of the POW/MIA flag at all prominent federal properties now serves as a daily reminder that these heroes, and their families, are forever etched in our DNA,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander William Schmitz in a statement.
The flag — created in 1972 for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War — has been flown at numerous federal properties over the years, but typically only on special occasions and holidays.
The history of the POW/MIA flag
The history behind the POW/MIA flag and the 'missing man' table.
Mandatory raising of the flag had only been required on six days each year: Armed Forces Day in May, Memorial Day in May, Flag Day in June, Independence Day in July, National POW/MIA Recognition Day in September, and Veterans Day in November.
Advocates began pushing for the year-long display of the flag earlier this year after some lawmakers in Washington, D.C. stopped displaying the black and white “you are not forgotten” banner outside their congressional offices.
The law applies only to a specific set of federal buildings, including the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters. Every post office throughout the country will also be required to fly the POW/MIA flag.
In addition, display of the flag will be required at every major U.S. military installation, every national cemetery, and numerous high-profile war-related sites like the World War II Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The proposal was sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H.
The flag — created in 1972 for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War — has been flown at numerous federal properties over the years, but typically only on special occasions and holidays.
The history of the POW/MIA flag
The history behind the POW/MIA flag and the 'missing man' table.
Mandatory raising of the flag had only been required on six days each year: Armed Forces Day in May, Memorial Day in May, Flag Day in June, Independence Day in July, National POW/MIA Recognition Day in September, and Veterans Day in November.
Advocates began pushing for the year-long display of the flag earlier this year after some lawmakers in Washington, D.C. stopped displaying the black and white “you are not forgotten” banner outside their congressional offices.
The law applies only to a specific set of federal buildings, including the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters. Every post office throughout the country will also be required to fly the POW/MIA flag.
In addition, display of the flag will be required at every major U.S. military installation, every national cemetery, and numerous high-profile war-related sites like the World War II Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The proposal was sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H.
VFW WITNESSES LANDMARK PRESIDENTIAL
SIGNING OF THE POW MIA FLAG ACT
SIGNING OF THE POW MIA FLAG ACT
‘This is a historic victory for every man and woman who courageously defended this nation and remain unaccounted for’
November 07, 2019
WASHINGTON – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) stood in solidarity with fellow members of the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community as President Donald Trump signed the National POW/MIA Flag Act into law today.
“This is a historic victory for every man and woman who courageously defended this nation and remain unaccounted for,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. “Today’s presidential signing and the daily display of the POW/MIA flag at all prominent federal properties now serves as a daily reminder that these heroes, and their families, are forever etched in our DNA.”
Law now requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the White House, U.S. Capitol, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation, each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each U.S. Postal Service post office.
The National POW/MIA Flag Act was initially introduced by U.S. Rep. and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. (ret.) Jack Bergman and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas March 7, 2019. The bipartisan bill received endorsement from the VFW, the National League of POW/MIA Families, and other veterans service organizations.
“Over 82,000 men and women who’ve served our nation in uniform are unaccounted for or listed as POW/MIA, including many Michiganders,” said Congressman Bergman. “Flying this flag at federal properties 365 days a year is just a small way that we can ensure their sacrifice and devotion to our nation is never forgotten.”
Pappas added that the POW/MIA flag is a symbol of courage and sacrifice that our armed forces have given on behalf of this nation.
“I have seen how important the flag is to demonstrate that these heroes are not forgotten,” said Congressman Pappas. “By putting the flag on full display outside of prominent federal buildings, memorials, and national cemeteries, we are reaffirming our commitment to the more than 82,000 service members who remain unaccounted for.”
Prior to today’s landmark signing, the POW/MIA flag was only required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year to include Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.
The National League of POW/MIA Families is the reason the POW/MIA flag exists today. The organization’s mission supports our POW/MIAs and killed-in-action from the Vietnam War by obtaining the release and return of all prisoners, the fullest possible accounting for the missing, and the repatriation of remains of those not yet recovered.
Evelyn Grubb, former national coordinator of The National League of POW/MIA Families, oversaw the development of the POW/MIA flag and campaigned to gain its widespread acceptance and use by the U.S. government in 1972.
B.J. Lawrence, executive director of the VFW Washington Office, expressed his sincere appreciation for today’s signing because it only furthers the relationship the VFW has with both The National League of POW/MIA Families and the DPAA.
“The VFW continues to stand firm on its relationship and dedication with both The National League of POW/MIA Families and DPAA,” said Lawrence. “Today is a huge step in the right direction. Our nation’s leaders made a pledge to account for every service member who did not come home. This is a pledge which also holds true for today’s servicemen and women. We must always ensure that if they do fall in battle, they are not forgotten and our nation will do everything in its power to bring them home.”
https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2019/11/vfw-witnesses-landmark-presidential-signing-of-the-pow-mia-flag-act
November 07, 2019
WASHINGTON – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) stood in solidarity with fellow members of the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community as President Donald Trump signed the National POW/MIA Flag Act into law today.
“This is a historic victory for every man and woman who courageously defended this nation and remain unaccounted for,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. “Today’s presidential signing and the daily display of the POW/MIA flag at all prominent federal properties now serves as a daily reminder that these heroes, and their families, are forever etched in our DNA.”
Law now requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the White House, U.S. Capitol, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation, each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each U.S. Postal Service post office.
The National POW/MIA Flag Act was initially introduced by U.S. Rep. and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. (ret.) Jack Bergman and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas March 7, 2019. The bipartisan bill received endorsement from the VFW, the National League of POW/MIA Families, and other veterans service organizations.
“Over 82,000 men and women who’ve served our nation in uniform are unaccounted for or listed as POW/MIA, including many Michiganders,” said Congressman Bergman. “Flying this flag at federal properties 365 days a year is just a small way that we can ensure their sacrifice and devotion to our nation is never forgotten.”
Pappas added that the POW/MIA flag is a symbol of courage and sacrifice that our armed forces have given on behalf of this nation.
“I have seen how important the flag is to demonstrate that these heroes are not forgotten,” said Congressman Pappas. “By putting the flag on full display outside of prominent federal buildings, memorials, and national cemeteries, we are reaffirming our commitment to the more than 82,000 service members who remain unaccounted for.”
Prior to today’s landmark signing, the POW/MIA flag was only required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year to include Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.
The National League of POW/MIA Families is the reason the POW/MIA flag exists today. The organization’s mission supports our POW/MIAs and killed-in-action from the Vietnam War by obtaining the release and return of all prisoners, the fullest possible accounting for the missing, and the repatriation of remains of those not yet recovered.
Evelyn Grubb, former national coordinator of The National League of POW/MIA Families, oversaw the development of the POW/MIA flag and campaigned to gain its widespread acceptance and use by the U.S. government in 1972.
B.J. Lawrence, executive director of the VFW Washington Office, expressed his sincere appreciation for today’s signing because it only furthers the relationship the VFW has with both The National League of POW/MIA Families and the DPAA.
“The VFW continues to stand firm on its relationship and dedication with both The National League of POW/MIA Families and DPAA,” said Lawrence. “Today is a huge step in the right direction. Our nation’s leaders made a pledge to account for every service member who did not come home. This is a pledge which also holds true for today’s servicemen and women. We must always ensure that if they do fall in battle, they are not forgotten and our nation will do everything in its power to bring them home.”
https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2019/11/vfw-witnesses-landmark-presidential-signing-of-the-pow-mia-flag-act
BILL REQUIRING POW/MIA FLAG BE FLOWN
WITH US FLAG HEADS TO TRUMP’S DESK
WITH US FLAG HEADS TO TRUMP’S DESK
Korean War Army veteran Rafael Gomez and Vietnam veteran Javier Morales
October 25, 2019
WASHINGTON — A bill requiring the POW/MIA flag to be flown with the American flag is on the verge of becoming law.
The bipartisan bill — The National POW/MIA Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., requires the POW/MIA flag to be flown with the American flag at certain memorials and federal buildings, including the White House and the U.S. Capitol, to honor unaccounted for servicemen and servicewomen from across more than 50 years of wars and conflicts.
"As the sister of three veterans, I understand the importance of honoring the sacrifices of those who have fought courageously for our country," said Warren, who is a presidential candidate for the 2020 election.
The bill passed through both chambers of Congress and now President Donald Trump must sign it into law.
“We owe it to those service members and their families to ensure that our nation never forgets their sacrifices,” Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.
More than 81,000 American troops are still unaccounted for from conflicts since World War II, according to federal data.
Under current law, the POW/MIA Flag is required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days a year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day.
“The POW/MIA Flag is representative of profound courage and sacrifice," said Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., who introduced the House version of the bill. “By proudly displaying this symbol outside of our federal buildings, memorials, and national cemeteries, we are reaffirming our commitment to those service members and their families who have sacrificed beyond measure.”
WASHINGTON — A bill requiring the POW/MIA flag to be flown with the American flag is on the verge of becoming law.
The bipartisan bill — The National POW/MIA Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., requires the POW/MIA flag to be flown with the American flag at certain memorials and federal buildings, including the White House and the U.S. Capitol, to honor unaccounted for servicemen and servicewomen from across more than 50 years of wars and conflicts.
"As the sister of three veterans, I understand the importance of honoring the sacrifices of those who have fought courageously for our country," said Warren, who is a presidential candidate for the 2020 election.
The bill passed through both chambers of Congress and now President Donald Trump must sign it into law.
“We owe it to those service members and their families to ensure that our nation never forgets their sacrifices,” Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.
More than 81,000 American troops are still unaccounted for from conflicts since World War II, according to federal data.
Under current law, the POW/MIA Flag is required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days a year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day.
“The POW/MIA Flag is representative of profound courage and sacrifice," said Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., who introduced the House version of the bill. “By proudly displaying this symbol outside of our federal buildings, memorials, and national cemeteries, we are reaffirming our commitment to those service members and their families who have sacrificed beyond measure.”
UPDATE: February 1, 2021
THE LEAGUE OFFICE IS TELEWORKING UNTIL RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED
AMERICANS STILL MISSING AND UNACCOUNTED FOR FROM THE VIETNAM WAR: The number missing (POW/MIA) and otherwise unaccounted-for (KIA/BNR) from the Vietnam War is STILL 1,585. There have been no US personnel accounted for from the Vietnam War since July 2020. DPAA announced that some identifications are pending and may be announced soon; no number was given.
DPAA laboratories and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) continue to focus efforts on identifying remains previously recovered, turned over unilaterally by foreign counterparts and/or buried in US cemeteries at home and abroad. US teams are also conducting WWII, Korean War and Cold War field recoveries. The most recent large-scale unilateral turnover of remains was the “K55” repatriation that followed the Singapore Agreement reached in the summer of 2018 by former President Trump and DPRK President Kim Jong Un. The latest count of possible US remains included in the K55 repatriation was just announced by DPAA as 72. Also, 80 remains were recently returned to South Korea.
ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS/EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR FY2021; UNILATERAL SRV RECOVERIES HELPED COVER THE PULL-BACK CAUSED BY COVID 19: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Defense (DoD) banned all DoD travel in early 2020 and resumption of full scale Joint Field Activities (JFAs) in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is planned, but not yet approved. In addition, each counterpart country has varying restrictions imposed due to the COVID virus. Recently, DPAA Deputy Director for Operations RDML Darius Banaji, USN, met virtually with the Cambodian POW/MIA Committee. US Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy and Cambodian Deputy Chairman Sieng Lapresse participated, as did DPAA IndoPacific Regional Director Col Brian Peterson, USMC. During this time, Vietnam fielded Unilateral Recovery Teams (URTs) three times encompassing 10 sites, focused on a reported 78 cases. Some remains were recovered, though DPAA provided no details at their conference call update on January 28th.
Importantly, three JFAs are tentatively scheduled in February in Vietnam, plus one underwater recovery, also three teams in Laos, and one in Cambodia. DoD, DIA, State Department and other US agencies were largely teleworking, but are now alternating schedules to try to ensure greater in-person coverage and productivity. DIA Headquarters personnel, including Stony Beach specialists, are working in shifts, as are DPAA scientists in the respective laboratories.
DPAA & DIA SIGNED FORMAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU): On September 17, 2020, DPAA Director Kelly McKeague and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director LTG Bob Ashley, USA, signed an MOU to formalize integration of DIA’s Stony Beach Team of specialists into Vietnam War accounting operations. Formed in 1986, before the accounting mission broadened to include efforts to recover and identify personnel unaccounted-for from the Korean War, Cold War and World War II, Stony Beach’s sole mission was and is Vietnam War accounting, with focused priority on Last Known Alive (LKA) cases of US personnel initially listed as POW/MIA.
LEAGUE 51ST ANNUAL MEETING RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 23-27, 2021: As previously announced, the 51st Annual Meeting did not take place June 24-28, 2020, and has been rescheduled for June 23-27, 2021. The Hilton Crystal City Hotel is open on a limited basis, and we’re hoping for fewer restrictions and greater normalcy by mid-2021. DPAA cancelled Family Member Updates previously scheduled for March, April, May, August and September. The DPAA-hosted Annual Government Briefings for Korean War/Cold War Families, previously planned for August, were also cancelled A virtual ZOOM Family Member Update was held November 7th in Little Rock, AR. An FMU scheduled for January 23rd was cancelled and will be rescheduled, plus a virtual FMU is scheduled for February 20th in Los Angeles and Hawaii. In all such FMUs, individual case reviews can be scheduled with US officials involved.
POW/MIA FLAG IN US CAPITOL ROTUNDA: With unanimous bipartisan support in the 100th Congress, the League's POW/MIA Flag was installed in the US Capitol Rotunda on March 9, 1989. Since that date, it has been displayed "as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for US personnel still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War." The 101st Congress also passed bipartisan legislation recognizing our POW/MIA flag and designating it "the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia."
Chairman's Comment: Media coverage of the lawless intrusion at the US Capitol on January 6th clearly showed our POW/MIA flag on display. It is important for all to understand that the accounting mission our POW/MIA flag represents is bipartisan-supported and has been since the League was formed on May 28, 1970.
WHITE HOUSE IN VIOLATION OF PUBLIC LAW 116-67, MANDATING THE POW/MIA FLAG BE DISPLAYED YEAR-ROUND: Despite President Trump’s decision to sign bipartisan-supported legislation in the House and Senate into law on November 7, 2019, the White House is now in violation of the mandate and intention of the “National POW/MIA Flag Act.” By law, the League-originated POW/MIA flag was, and is, directed to be visibly displayed whenever the US flag is posted on Federal properties, including the White House, the US Capitol, all US Senate and House Buildings, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Director of the Selective Service system, all major military installations, as directed by the Secretary of Defense, all VA medical centers, and all offices of the US Postal Service.
Flag Day is one of the six days each year when previously existing laws required that our POW/MIA flag be flown, in addition to Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day. On Flag Day, June 14, 2020, the POW/MIA Flag was removed from atop the White House and placed on a separate flag pole, under the US flag, but scarcely visible in a small cluster of trees outside the circular drive around the South Lawn and at some distance from the White House and Old Executive Office Building. Strangely, this occurred only six months after President Trump had signed into law the separate bills passed by the House and Senate requiring visible display of the POW/MIA flag on “all days on which the flag of the United States is displayed,” including “at the White House.” Apparently, some uninformed staff, looking for a less visible alternative to its customary position on top of the White House, made the decision to find an alternative and did so without any consideration of implications to the accounting mission or consulting the League or DPAA.
Chairman’s Comment: The League is grateful for this tremendous support in passing the law, which is a meaningful signal to senior US and counterpart officials whose cooperation and responsiveness are absolutely necessary. It also signals worldwide that America stands behind and with those who serve – past, present and future – and, if captured or missing, all reasonable efforts will be made to recover and bring home as many as possible of our UNRETURNED Veterans. When this occurred, DPAA and the League were notified within minutes of each other, but given no reason, nor any indication as to who had made the decision to construct a new flagpole on the edge of the South Lawn and remove the POW/MIA flag from atop the White House, especially on Flag Day, June 14th, when and where it had proudly flown for decades. Even more strange, the POW/MIA flag was not in its rightful position on September 18, 2020, National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The way this was handled was truly bizarre and, to date, DPAA Director McKeague and League Chairman/CEO Ann Mills-Griffiths have not been provided the rationale. The League informed White House officials that removal of the POW/MIA flag from atop the White House would send conflicting signals domestically and internationally to counterpart governments which figure prominently in US efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting, in particular for Vietnam War POW/MIAs. It was also noted that such an action could be viewed as reducing priority and seriousness of US efforts and intentions, including with the DPRK, as accounting for Americans lost during the Korean War was Point #4 of the 2018 Singapore Agreement.
SUPPORT THE LEAGUE: You can support the League on Facebook by creating a fundraiser to celebrate meaningful occasions and events. Opportunities are nearly endless, ranging from appeals for donations to the League in lieu of birthday gifts or to honor your missing loved one on the anniversary of his loss, and, if returned, his story commemorating his recovery, etc. If you would like to create a fundraiser to benefit the League, visit www.facebook.com/fund/powmiafamilies. 100% of the proceeds raised from your Facebook fundraiser will benefit the League!
You and your family, friends and colleagues can also support the League by shopping at Amazon Smile. It is simple and automatic, at no extra cost to you. Just visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7071242, and you will find the exact same prices, vast selection and convenient shopping to which you may be increasingly accustomed. The added bonus? The Amazon Smile Foundation automatically donates 0.5% of the cost of your eligible purchases to the League.
Donate today, 501(C)3, Fed Tax ID #23-7071242, at www.pow-miafamilies.org
Update_2-1-21.pdf
THE LEAGUE OFFICE IS TELEWORKING UNTIL RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED
AMERICANS STILL MISSING AND UNACCOUNTED FOR FROM THE VIETNAM WAR: The number missing (POW/MIA) and otherwise unaccounted-for (KIA/BNR) from the Vietnam War is STILL 1,585. There have been no US personnel accounted for from the Vietnam War since July 2020. DPAA announced that some identifications are pending and may be announced soon; no number was given.
DPAA laboratories and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) continue to focus efforts on identifying remains previously recovered, turned over unilaterally by foreign counterparts and/or buried in US cemeteries at home and abroad. US teams are also conducting WWII, Korean War and Cold War field recoveries. The most recent large-scale unilateral turnover of remains was the “K55” repatriation that followed the Singapore Agreement reached in the summer of 2018 by former President Trump and DPRK President Kim Jong Un. The latest count of possible US remains included in the K55 repatriation was just announced by DPAA as 72. Also, 80 remains were recently returned to South Korea.
ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS/EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR FY2021; UNILATERAL SRV RECOVERIES HELPED COVER THE PULL-BACK CAUSED BY COVID 19: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Defense (DoD) banned all DoD travel in early 2020 and resumption of full scale Joint Field Activities (JFAs) in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is planned, but not yet approved. In addition, each counterpart country has varying restrictions imposed due to the COVID virus. Recently, DPAA Deputy Director for Operations RDML Darius Banaji, USN, met virtually with the Cambodian POW/MIA Committee. US Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy and Cambodian Deputy Chairman Sieng Lapresse participated, as did DPAA IndoPacific Regional Director Col Brian Peterson, USMC. During this time, Vietnam fielded Unilateral Recovery Teams (URTs) three times encompassing 10 sites, focused on a reported 78 cases. Some remains were recovered, though DPAA provided no details at their conference call update on January 28th.
Importantly, three JFAs are tentatively scheduled in February in Vietnam, plus one underwater recovery, also three teams in Laos, and one in Cambodia. DoD, DIA, State Department and other US agencies were largely teleworking, but are now alternating schedules to try to ensure greater in-person coverage and productivity. DIA Headquarters personnel, including Stony Beach specialists, are working in shifts, as are DPAA scientists in the respective laboratories.
DPAA & DIA SIGNED FORMAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU): On September 17, 2020, DPAA Director Kelly McKeague and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director LTG Bob Ashley, USA, signed an MOU to formalize integration of DIA’s Stony Beach Team of specialists into Vietnam War accounting operations. Formed in 1986, before the accounting mission broadened to include efforts to recover and identify personnel unaccounted-for from the Korean War, Cold War and World War II, Stony Beach’s sole mission was and is Vietnam War accounting, with focused priority on Last Known Alive (LKA) cases of US personnel initially listed as POW/MIA.
LEAGUE 51ST ANNUAL MEETING RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 23-27, 2021: As previously announced, the 51st Annual Meeting did not take place June 24-28, 2020, and has been rescheduled for June 23-27, 2021. The Hilton Crystal City Hotel is open on a limited basis, and we’re hoping for fewer restrictions and greater normalcy by mid-2021. DPAA cancelled Family Member Updates previously scheduled for March, April, May, August and September. The DPAA-hosted Annual Government Briefings for Korean War/Cold War Families, previously planned for August, were also cancelled A virtual ZOOM Family Member Update was held November 7th in Little Rock, AR. An FMU scheduled for January 23rd was cancelled and will be rescheduled, plus a virtual FMU is scheduled for February 20th in Los Angeles and Hawaii. In all such FMUs, individual case reviews can be scheduled with US officials involved.
POW/MIA FLAG IN US CAPITOL ROTUNDA: With unanimous bipartisan support in the 100th Congress, the League's POW/MIA Flag was installed in the US Capitol Rotunda on March 9, 1989. Since that date, it has been displayed "as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for US personnel still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War." The 101st Congress also passed bipartisan legislation recognizing our POW/MIA flag and designating it "the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia."
Chairman's Comment: Media coverage of the lawless intrusion at the US Capitol on January 6th clearly showed our POW/MIA flag on display. It is important for all to understand that the accounting mission our POW/MIA flag represents is bipartisan-supported and has been since the League was formed on May 28, 1970.
WHITE HOUSE IN VIOLATION OF PUBLIC LAW 116-67, MANDATING THE POW/MIA FLAG BE DISPLAYED YEAR-ROUND: Despite President Trump’s decision to sign bipartisan-supported legislation in the House and Senate into law on November 7, 2019, the White House is now in violation of the mandate and intention of the “National POW/MIA Flag Act.” By law, the League-originated POW/MIA flag was, and is, directed to be visibly displayed whenever the US flag is posted on Federal properties, including the White House, the US Capitol, all US Senate and House Buildings, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Director of the Selective Service system, all major military installations, as directed by the Secretary of Defense, all VA medical centers, and all offices of the US Postal Service.
Flag Day is one of the six days each year when previously existing laws required that our POW/MIA flag be flown, in addition to Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day. On Flag Day, June 14, 2020, the POW/MIA Flag was removed from atop the White House and placed on a separate flag pole, under the US flag, but scarcely visible in a small cluster of trees outside the circular drive around the South Lawn and at some distance from the White House and Old Executive Office Building. Strangely, this occurred only six months after President Trump had signed into law the separate bills passed by the House and Senate requiring visible display of the POW/MIA flag on “all days on which the flag of the United States is displayed,” including “at the White House.” Apparently, some uninformed staff, looking for a less visible alternative to its customary position on top of the White House, made the decision to find an alternative and did so without any consideration of implications to the accounting mission or consulting the League or DPAA.
Chairman’s Comment: The League is grateful for this tremendous support in passing the law, which is a meaningful signal to senior US and counterpart officials whose cooperation and responsiveness are absolutely necessary. It also signals worldwide that America stands behind and with those who serve – past, present and future – and, if captured or missing, all reasonable efforts will be made to recover and bring home as many as possible of our UNRETURNED Veterans. When this occurred, DPAA and the League were notified within minutes of each other, but given no reason, nor any indication as to who had made the decision to construct a new flagpole on the edge of the South Lawn and remove the POW/MIA flag from atop the White House, especially on Flag Day, June 14th, when and where it had proudly flown for decades. Even more strange, the POW/MIA flag was not in its rightful position on September 18, 2020, National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The way this was handled was truly bizarre and, to date, DPAA Director McKeague and League Chairman/CEO Ann Mills-Griffiths have not been provided the rationale. The League informed White House officials that removal of the POW/MIA flag from atop the White House would send conflicting signals domestically and internationally to counterpart governments which figure prominently in US efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting, in particular for Vietnam War POW/MIAs. It was also noted that such an action could be viewed as reducing priority and seriousness of US efforts and intentions, including with the DPRK, as accounting for Americans lost during the Korean War was Point #4 of the 2018 Singapore Agreement.
SUPPORT THE LEAGUE: You can support the League on Facebook by creating a fundraiser to celebrate meaningful occasions and events. Opportunities are nearly endless, ranging from appeals for donations to the League in lieu of birthday gifts or to honor your missing loved one on the anniversary of his loss, and, if returned, his story commemorating his recovery, etc. If you would like to create a fundraiser to benefit the League, visit www.facebook.com/fund/powmiafamilies. 100% of the proceeds raised from your Facebook fundraiser will benefit the League!
You and your family, friends and colleagues can also support the League by shopping at Amazon Smile. It is simple and automatic, at no extra cost to you. Just visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7071242, and you will find the exact same prices, vast selection and convenient shopping to which you may be increasingly accustomed. The added bonus? The Amazon Smile Foundation automatically donates 0.5% of the cost of your eligible purchases to the League.
Donate today, 501(C)3, Fed Tax ID #23-7071242, at www.pow-miafamilies.org
Update_2-1-21.pdf
| Update 8-23-18.pdf |
| Update 8-31-18.pdf |
| Update 9-12-18.pdf |
| 10-2-18 Newsletter.pdf |
| Update 9-28-18.pdf |
| Update 10-17-18.pdf |
| Update 11-11-18.pdf |
| Update 12-27-18.pdf |
| Update 4-17-19.pdf |
2018
| Update 3-8-19.pdf |
| Update 4-11-19.pdf |
| Update 6-1-19.pdf |
| Update 6-14-19.pdf |
| update_7-8-19.pdf |
| Update 7-29-19.pdf |
2019
| 1-22-19 Newsletter.pdf |
October 27, 2019
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: The most recent DPAA release on Vietnam War accounting was July 26, 2019, with the identification of Major Neal C. Ward, USAF. Listed as MIA in Laos on 6/13/69, his remains were recovered on 12/13/17, and identified on 7/19/19. On 6/11/19, DPAA announced that Air Force Colonel Roy A. Knight, Jr, listed as MIA on 5/19/67 over Laos, is now accounted for. His remains were recovered on 2/28/19, and ID’d on 6/4/19. Prior to that, DPAA announced on 2/25/19 that Navy Reserve Journalist 3rd Class Raul A. Guerra, USN, listed as MIA on 10/8/67, was accounted for. His remains were recovered on 8/15/05 and identified on 2/20/19. On January 15, 2019, DPAA posted the accounting for Roy F. Townley and Edward J. Weissenback, Air America, listed as missing on 12/27/71, in Laos. The DPAA release on accounting for George L Ritter, Air America from the same incident, indicated his recovery on 12/13/17, and ID on 9/25/18. Both Townley and Weissenback were recovered late last fall and their families were notified just before Christmas, 2018.
The number missing (POW/MIA) and otherwise unaccounted-for (KIA/BNR) from the Vietnam War is still 1,587. Of that number, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Cambodia or Laos under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam-1,246 (VN-443, VS-803); Laos-286; Cambodia-48; PRC territorial waters-7. Since chartered in 1970, the League has sought the return of all POWs, the fullest possible accounting for the missing, and repatriation of all recoverable remains. The total accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 996. A breakdown by country of these 996 Americans is: Vietnam – 672, Laos – 279, Cambodia – 42, and the PRC – 3. In addition, 63 US personnel were accounted for between 1973 and 1975, the formal end of the Vietnam War, for a grand total of 1,059. These 63 Americans, accounted for by US-only efforts in accessible areas, were not due to cooperation by post-war governments in Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. Combined, a total of 287 have been accounted for from Laos, 727 from Vietnam, 42 from Cambodia and 3 from the PRC.
“SALUTE TO AMERICA” OFFERED PROMISE: The President’s support for US Armed Forces and veterans can be interpreted to include sustained priority on the accounting mission, but the League is seeking clarification. The President can and should confirm continuing and expanded priority, focus and attention to pursuing answers about America’s UNRETURNED VETERANS. Supported by the major national veteran organizations, the League is working to ensure that accounting for Vietnam War missing, as pledged by DPAA Director Kelly McKeague at the League’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting, June 20, 2019, truly is a policy priority, supported on an interagency basis. Achieving factually-based, realistic accounting goals IS doable if we all reinforce our determination to do more, whether donating funds or by actively engaging in building public interest and support, via social media.
The League’s 50-year quest for answers to end the uncertainty of Vietnam War POW/MIA families has vastly expanded. Now included are remains recoveries from North Korea (DPRK), China (PRC), countries which comprised the former Soviet Union (USSR), worldwide efforts to recover many thousands killed during the Cold War, Korean War and World War II, as well as disinter and identify the remains of thousands buried as unknowns in US cemeteries in Europe, Asia and here in the US. The differences in pursuing answers in these varied countries are complex and demanding, but standing strongly with and behind those who serve our country may finally resume the national priority President Reagan established in the early 1980s. It is now our responsibility to ensure Members of Congress, on a bipartisan basis, understand the need to provide adequate funding, personnel and resources to accomplish the expanded mission outlined above. We must also ensure the Trump Administration recognizes the need to return home as many of these UNRETURNED VETERANS as possible.
50th ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL MEETING: This year’s annual meeting was truly a celebration of all the League has achieved for POW/MIA families, initially Vietnam War only now extended to wars and conflicts further past, as the lasting impact on our nation and the world. Opening Session formalities on June 20th were led by Elko, Pocatello, Boise Valley and Magic Valley POW*MIA associations. A brief “In Memory and Honor” ceremony, led by Vice Chairman of the Board Mark Stephensen, recognized the very few US personnel accounted for since the 49th Annual Meeting, highlighted by a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung by MG Arnold M. Fields, USMC (Ret), representing DoD’s 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commission. There followed a very informed, welcome policy message by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Patrick Murphy, now confirmed by the US Senate and serving as US Ambassador to Cambodia. The DPAA-designed poster to commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day was unveiled by then VFW Director for Public Affairs Joe Davis and the League Chairman. (Posters were provided to all at the conclusion of Opening Session.)
A key feature of the Opening Session was the Retrospective of the difficult early years, 1981-89, during which President Reagan made clear the priority he placed on accounting as fully as possible for our Vietnam War POW/MIAs, later amended to include original status KIA/BNRs. For the first time, the postwar build-up of US efforts to pursue bilateral cooperation with Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia was provided in succinct, accurate presentations. The priority with which accounting objectives were pursued and sustained in later years brought the accounting effort to where it is today. More than most Americans, Vietnam War POW/MIA families and veterans recognize the validity of what was accomplished by utilizing Vietnam's self-described "bridge to normalization of relations” with the US that brought about the US-constructed "Roadmap to Normalization" of relations, through which 996 Americans have been accounted for since the actual end of the Vietnam War in 1975.
The chronology laid out by League Senior Policy Advisor Richard Childress, having served eight years as Director of Asian Affairs on the Reagan National Security Council Staff, provided the accurate back-ground of efforts during these difficult years in which Ann Mills-Griffiths participated as a full member of the US Government’s POW/MIA Interagency Group (IAG). Other key participants were former Deputy Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary of Defense/Asian & Pacific Affairs Rich Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Assistant Secretary of State/Asian & Pacific Affairs Paul Wolfowitz (also later US Ambassador to Indonesia and President of the World Bank), League Policy Advisor, US Ambassador to Thailand and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State/Asian & Pacific Affairs David Lambertson, League Policy Advisor and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State/Asian & Pacific Affairs Matt Daley, and Ambassadors Charlie Salmon, Laos, and Charlie Twining, Cambodia. (The presentations of these distinguished gentlemen, all ranking US officials, were covered by Facebook live; Richard Childress’ remarks can be found on the League’s website and are available from the League office by request.)
Following a break for lunch, DPAA Director Kelly K. McKeague presented remarks about “DPAA’s Vietnam War Accounting Roadmap” and reaffirmed his pledge to maintain operational priority on achieving the fullest possible accounting for Vietnam War missing. Immediately following and well-received were brief commitments from supportive Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) who have long supported the League and US Government efforts. Carrying messages from their respective organizations were American Legion National Vice Commander John Milburn, DAV Executive Director Randy Reese, JWV Executive Director Herb Rosenbleeth, SOA Vice President/Chairman of the Joint SOA/SFA POW/MIA Committee Mike Taylor, VVA National POW/MIA Chairman Grant Coates and VFW Director of Communications & Public Affairs Joe Davis.
Ambassadors Ha Kim Ngoc of Vietnam, Khamphan Anlavan of Laos and Chum Sounry of Cambodia gave very interesting, impactful remarks on “Impressions from Hanoi, Vientiane & Phnom Penh.” Presenting first, Vietnamese Ambassador Ngoc presented a series of three personal stories, including the tragic helicopter crash in April 2001 during joint field operations. The loss of seven Americans and nine Vietnamese included Ambassador Ngoc’s best friend, also a Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, serving in the Americas Bureau. Upon conclusion, Ambassador Ngoc was given a standing ovation, as were all at the end of this very special segment of the program.
The 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting Dinner and Candlelight Ceremony was made even more special this year by the remarks of then Army Chief of Staff GEN Mark Milley, now confirmed by the Senate as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). His message made clear his full support for the accounting mission and the League's responsible role over the last 50 years in pursuing answers. Former League staff member, now DPAA Disinterment Director, Wendy Coble sang a beautiful rendition of “Climb Every Mountain.”
For the first time, and in commemoration of the League’s 50th Anniversary, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Senior Policy Advisor Richard T. Childress, and a Lifetime Service Award was presented to Central Region Coordinator Liz Flick. These two awards are unlikely ever again to be presented. Previously, the highest League award was the Distinguished Service Award, presented only 12 times since inception. This year, that very prestigious award was presented to former Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon for his dedication to the accounting mission since 1982. Finally, the League Award was presented to BG Steven Redmann, USAF (Ret), then Deputy Chief of Staff to Army Chief of Staff General Milley. As the only Air Force officer to ever lead accounting operations, in this instance Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA), his reliable, quiet support for the League and the mission were and are recognized as notable and very meaningful.
On Friday morning, the presentation by LTG Robert Ashley, USA, Director of DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), again had the audience's full, undivided attention. LTG Ashley noted his personal and professional determination to specifically contribute to League and USG efforts to account for our Vietnam War missing. He made clear his unwavering commitment to the mission and full support for DIA's team of skilled POW/MIA investigators, known as the Stony Beach Team. the only element of the US Government devoted solely to Vietnam War accounting efforts. These highly trained POW/MIA intelligence collectors briefed on current operations and approach.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood, the only senior DoD Policy Official to attend, also spoke on Friday, June 21st. Briefings were given by DPAA Deputy Director for Operations RDML Jon Kreitz, Director for Partnerships and Innovations (focused on scientific advances) Dr. Tom Holland, Deputy Director for Outreach & Communications Johnie Webb, Europe-Med and Indo-Pacific Regional Directors, COL Brian Pearl, USA, and Col Brian Peterson, USMC, Det. 2 Commander LTC Adam Points, USA, and DPAA Underwater Archaeologist Rich Wills, longtime, dedicated civilian specialist.
Chairman’s Comment: There was much more to this year's 50th Anniversary commemoration, and we appreciate DPAA's having supported coverage by streaming Facebook live, as well as posting links on the DPAA website to go back and watch/listen at your convenience. Especially appreciated was DPAA Director Kelly McKeague’s pledge of five years of operational priority on Vietnam War accounting.
Despite continuing dysfunction within DPAA resulting in disappointment, there is reason for cautious optimism. With sustained support from the families and our nation’s veterans, the League is determined to press for answers on Vietnam War missing. So long as Vietnam War accounting efforts remain DPAA’s operational priority, we also support investigations and recoveries on cases of unaccounted-for WWII, Korean War and Cold War personnel over disinterment and ID of remains of the known dead. We also recognize that DPAA is pursuing numbers to satisfy Congressional expectations and the least expensive, most effective means to raise the ID count is disinterment of Korean War and WWII personnel, known dead and buried in US cemeteries around the world, and not individually identified. DPAA’s primary mission is to account as fully as possible for missing US personnel, not “just” mortuary duties to disinter and identify the known dead, meaningful as that is to their families.
I wish all of you could have been with us; we've come a long, long way, yet we have much to do to meet ongoing challenges. Your support and direct engagement, especially through social media, are strongly encouraged. This year’s annual meeting was the largest, most significant in years. That isn’t especially surprising since it was a year-long effort to plan and schedule speakers to maximize effectiveness. Members who had not attended in years didn’t want to miss this 50th Anniversary commemoration!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION, 2019-2021: The League’s bylaws require an election every other year, and 2019 was an election year. Results were announced at the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Re-elected were all sitting members of the Board – Pam Cain, Karoni Forrester, Ann Mills-Griffiths, Sue Scott, Mark Stephensen and Cindy Stonebraker – with the exception of Eldon Robinson, MIA brother, who was again serving as League Treasurer. Sadly, Eldon fell critically ill, was unable to stand for re-election and passed away just before the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. CA State Coordinator Bruce Hallberg, having been elected, was selected by the Board to serve as Treasurer. Selected to again serve in the positions of Chairman/CEO, Vice Chairman and Secretary were Ann Mills-Griffiths, Mark Stephensen and Cindy Stonebraker, respectively. Sadly, Cindy recently resigned due to family obligations, and MIA Son Joseph Stuart, the candidate with the next highest votes, assumed her Board position. Pam Cain was then elected as Secretary of the Board for 2019-2021, a position she previously held some years ago. We are grateful to her for stepping up to serve again.
HOPE FOR TALKS TO RESUME ON KOREAN WAR REMAINS RECOVERIES. Though there still is no clarity on when/whether agreement to resume remains recovery operations in North Korea will occur, there is ongoing speculation, as well as effort. The subject is reportedly high on the agenda, as it is something both leaders agree should be pursued on a separate humanitarian basis, regardless of political and/or policy differences. In this instance, no news is NOT good news, and it is hoped that working level talks to sort through specific issues related to in-country cooperation can resume in the spring, once the frozen ground allows such field recoveries.
IDENTIFICATION STATISTICS: It should also be noted that as many as 35 IDs have been made on remains that came out of North Korea in the 55 flag-draped transfer cases. In addition, DPAA leaders stated publicly that the DNA on as many as 150 US personnel, plus approximately 100 indigenous personnel, may be represented by remains that were turned over in the 55 transfer cases. With the very high percentage of DNA reference samples that Korean War families have ensured are available, the count of IDs of Korean War KIA/BNRs, both disinterred from US cemeteries and from the earlier unilateral DPRK turnover of the K-208 (representing as many as 500-600 individuals), the prospect is high for many more Korean War personnel being ID’d and returned to their families for honorable burial in the near term. Korean War IDs for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) reached 73. The WWII total is even higher, standing at 140 for FY19. Only 5 Vietnam War personnel were accounted for during that same time, for a total of 218 IDs announced by DPAA for FY19, a record for the DPAA Lab.
INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY REPORT
PREPAREDNESS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND PROMOTING A NETWORKED REGION
Following excerpts are from the Defense Department's June 1, 2019 publication, pages 36-37 & 40, all very relevant to Vietnam War accounting and, for those interested in better understanding the broader policy implications and opportunities, the full report would be of significant interest.
VIETNAM: The Department is building a strategic partnership with Vietnam that is based on common interests and principles, including freedom of navigation, respect for a rules-based order in accordance with international law, and recognition of national sovereignty. The U.S.-Vietnam defense relationship has grown dramatically over the past several years, as symbolized by the historic March 2018 visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier for the first time since the Vietnam War.
The Department is working to improve Vietnam’s defense capabilities by providing security assistance, including Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, T-6 trainer aircraft, a former U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter, and small patrol boats and their associated training and maintenance facilities. The U.S. military also engages in numerous annual training exchanges and activities to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability with the Vietnam People’s Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. Additionally, DoD has provided training and technical assistance to support Vietnam’s 2018 deployment of a medical unit to the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan, and will continue to provide assistance to facilitate future deployments.
Our increasingly strong defense ties are based on a foundation of close cooperation to address legacy of war and humanitarian issues, which predates the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1995. As we look to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations in 2020, DoD remains committed to supporting U.S. efforts to clean up dioxin contamination and remove unexploded ordnance, and appreciates Vietnam’s continued assistance to account for U.S. personnel missing from the Vietnam War.
LAOS: Strategically located in the geographic heart of ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region, Laos presents opportunities for deepening security, economic, and diplomatic engagement. China is increasingly focused on Laos, and Beijing continues efforts to expand its strategic footprint through large debt-fueled investments, especially in infrastructure and energy. However, Laos is wary of overdependence and is seeking to diversify its partners and options.
At the same time, Laos is experiencing a significant demographic shift – with a large majority of its population under the age of 35 – which presents a unique opportunity to engage a new, outward looking generation. The Lao military prioritizes Vietnam, Russia, and to a lesser degree China as its primary security partners. At the same time, the Laotian military is slowly expanding its international engagement portfolio, first to ASEAN and to a lesser degree to countries in the region such as Japan, Australia, and India.
The United States supports activities that advance Laos’ integration into ASEAN, such as defense modernization, interoperability, English language proficiency, and respect for a rules-based international order. In the meantime, we are working to move past war legacy issues related to the Vietnam War and aim to conclude Prisoner of War/Missing in Action recovery operations honorably, and by 2030 to make Laos substantially risk-free of U.S.-sourced unexploded ordnance.
CAMBODIA: DoD seeks to build a productive military-to-military relationship with the Kingdom of Cambodia that protects its sovereignty, promotes military professionalism, and helps it become a responsible and capable contributor to regional security. In early 2017, Cambodia suspended all military-to-military exercises with the United States. We, however, continue to cooperate in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian mine action, medical research, and U.S. Missing in Action personnel accounting.
Chairman’s Comment: It is very encouraging to see the POW/MIA accounting mission integrated into US policy priorities by release of this significant document during the very important Singapore Dialogue. Perhaps now we'll also see follow-through by senior officials throughout the interagency policy community to reinforce the importance of the accounting effort to the United States, the affected families, our nation's veterans and the American people. This specific report forms the basis for widespread implementation and will be extremely helpful so long as our expectations are reasonable and all aspects of official efforts are coordinated and fully integrated to maximize effectiveness and expand accounting results.
CONGRATULATIONS AND SINCERE APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO WORKED TO BRING ABOUT THIS HOPEFUL RENEWAL OF SERIOUS EFFORTS!
DPAA-HOSTED FAMILY UPDATES: DPAA-hosted Family Member Updates (FMUs) are no longer restricted solely to family members. Responsible Veteran Service Organization (VSO) representatives can now be included, as are League and other Non-Government Organization (NGO) officials. Following are upcoming dates and locations: San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 2nd; Las Vegas, NV, January 25th; Portland, OR, February 22nd; Miami, FL, March 21st; Little Rock, AR, April 18th; Chicago, IL, May 16th, Washington, DC, *June 24-27th; Washington, DC, **August 6-7th; and Colorado Springs, CO, September 12th.
*Held during the League’s 51st Annual Meeting
**DPAA-hosted Korean War-Cold War Annual Government Briefings
US-RUSSIA JOINT COMMISSION (USRJC) ON POW/MIA AFFAIRS: The anticipated Plenary Session that originally was scheduled for later this year has been postponed at the request of the Russian Side, though Korean War and Cold War Working Group talks will be held later this year. The full Plenary Session is tentatively scheduled to take place in the Spring, in Moscow. By that time, it is anticipated that the Russian side of the USRJC will be fully appointed, authorized by President Putin and in place.
In the interim, the Vietnam War Working Group met during the League’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. The abbreviated session was co-chaired by US Chairman and DPAA Director Kelly McKeague and Colonel Eduard Paderin, Chief Archival Service, Russian Ministry of Defense. More recently, Joint Commission Support Directorate (JCSD) Senior Research Analyst supporting the Vietnam War Working Group Svetlana Shevchenko visited Ukraine to pursue relevant interviews with veterans who served during the Vietnam War as Air Defense advisors to and trainers of Vietnamese pilots. It was the Air Defense Museum that the USRJC visited during the Plenum in Moscow in 2017, and their archives related to communications emanating from their early Vietnam War service are of intense interest.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTARY: VIETNAM WAR-RELATED PERSPECTIVE: The numbers still missing and unaccounted-for in Vietnam War-related countries are spelled out on page one of this Newsletter. Beyond that, little specific information is available, other than that gleaned from a chart distributed at the DPAA-hosted Annual Government Briefings for the Korean War-Cold War families.
In relative terms, it is good news! The number of Vietnam War personnel assessed as “unrecoverable” has dropped from roughly 700-800 at the end of the war in 1975 to now under 500. This may be due to increased DPAA technical capacity to more rapidly screen and evaluate digitized e-Case Files. Reportedly, these contain initial case-related information and all subsequent information that relates or may relate to each missing individual, as required by law and successive Presidential Directives since they began post-war during the Reagan Administration.
As to specifics, useful information is seldom regularly or transparently distributed to the League, and presumably others, and is increasingly hard to discern, even if regularly checking the DPAA website. Statistical information that used to be readily available is now restricted, often under the ever-increasing requirement to ensure the safety and security of personnel deployed to undertake field investigations, research and recoveries.
As applied to advance release of field activities, the caution is understandable, but hard to defend after operations begin in Vietnam War-related counterpart countries. In Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, media attention is often drawn to POW/MIA accounting operations that proceed as separate, humanitarian endeavors, despite policy and political differences.
That is as it should be and as was established by President Reagan when he came into office in 1981, determined to pursue POW/MIA accounting as a matter of highest national priority. This pattern formed the basis on which the US and Vietnam moved forward in a spirit of humanitarian reciprocity that has served the mission well. The Trump Administration decided to utilize this same “separate, humanitarian” concept for the Singapore Summit in August, 2018.
NOTICE: THOSE OF YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA (FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, SNAPCHAT, LINKEDIN) CAN HAVE MAJOR IMPACT ON ACHIEVING ACCOUNTING OBJECTIVES! CHECK LEAGUE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS AND WEBSITE, THEN MESSAGE ALL MEDIA OUTLETS TO COVER POW/MIA ACCOUNTING EFFORTS AND RESULTS, RESPONSIBLY!
The League is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 humanitarian organization (IRS 23-7071242),
eligible for donations through the Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #10218
Donate today, 501(C)3, #23-7071242, at www.pow-miafamilies.org
Download Current Newsletter
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: The most recent DPAA release on Vietnam War accounting was July 26, 2019, with the identification of Major Neal C. Ward, USAF. Listed as MIA in Laos on 6/13/69, his remains were recovered on 12/13/17, and identified on 7/19/19. On 6/11/19, DPAA announced that Air Force Colonel Roy A. Knight, Jr, listed as MIA on 5/19/67 over Laos, is now accounted for. His remains were recovered on 2/28/19, and ID’d on 6/4/19. Prior to that, DPAA announced on 2/25/19 that Navy Reserve Journalist 3rd Class Raul A. Guerra, USN, listed as MIA on 10/8/67, was accounted for. His remains were recovered on 8/15/05 and identified on 2/20/19. On January 15, 2019, DPAA posted the accounting for Roy F. Townley and Edward J. Weissenback, Air America, listed as missing on 12/27/71, in Laos. The DPAA release on accounting for George L Ritter, Air America from the same incident, indicated his recovery on 12/13/17, and ID on 9/25/18. Both Townley and Weissenback were recovered late last fall and their families were notified just before Christmas, 2018.
The number missing (POW/MIA) and otherwise unaccounted-for (KIA/BNR) from the Vietnam War is still 1,587. Of that number, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Cambodia or Laos under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam-1,246 (VN-443, VS-803); Laos-286; Cambodia-48; PRC territorial waters-7. Since chartered in 1970, the League has sought the return of all POWs, the fullest possible accounting for the missing, and repatriation of all recoverable remains. The total accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 996. A breakdown by country of these 996 Americans is: Vietnam – 672, Laos – 279, Cambodia – 42, and the PRC – 3. In addition, 63 US personnel were accounted for between 1973 and 1975, the formal end of the Vietnam War, for a grand total of 1,059. These 63 Americans, accounted for by US-only efforts in accessible areas, were not due to cooperation by post-war governments in Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. Combined, a total of 287 have been accounted for from Laos, 727 from Vietnam, 42 from Cambodia and 3 from the PRC.
“SALUTE TO AMERICA” OFFERED PROMISE: The President’s support for US Armed Forces and veterans can be interpreted to include sustained priority on the accounting mission, but the League is seeking clarification. The President can and should confirm continuing and expanded priority, focus and attention to pursuing answers about America’s UNRETURNED VETERANS. Supported by the major national veteran organizations, the League is working to ensure that accounting for Vietnam War missing, as pledged by DPAA Director Kelly McKeague at the League’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting, June 20, 2019, truly is a policy priority, supported on an interagency basis. Achieving factually-based, realistic accounting goals IS doable if we all reinforce our determination to do more, whether donating funds or by actively engaging in building public interest and support, via social media.
The League’s 50-year quest for answers to end the uncertainty of Vietnam War POW/MIA families has vastly expanded. Now included are remains recoveries from North Korea (DPRK), China (PRC), countries which comprised the former Soviet Union (USSR), worldwide efforts to recover many thousands killed during the Cold War, Korean War and World War II, as well as disinter and identify the remains of thousands buried as unknowns in US cemeteries in Europe, Asia and here in the US. The differences in pursuing answers in these varied countries are complex and demanding, but standing strongly with and behind those who serve our country may finally resume the national priority President Reagan established in the early 1980s. It is now our responsibility to ensure Members of Congress, on a bipartisan basis, understand the need to provide adequate funding, personnel and resources to accomplish the expanded mission outlined above. We must also ensure the Trump Administration recognizes the need to return home as many of these UNRETURNED VETERANS as possible.
50th ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL MEETING: This year’s annual meeting was truly a celebration of all the League has achieved for POW/MIA families, initially Vietnam War only now extended to wars and conflicts further past, as the lasting impact on our nation and the world. Opening Session formalities on June 20th were led by Elko, Pocatello, Boise Valley and Magic Valley POW*MIA associations. A brief “In Memory and Honor” ceremony, led by Vice Chairman of the Board Mark Stephensen, recognized the very few US personnel accounted for since the 49th Annual Meeting, highlighted by a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung by MG Arnold M. Fields, USMC (Ret), representing DoD’s 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commission. There followed a very informed, welcome policy message by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Patrick Murphy, now confirmed by the US Senate and serving as US Ambassador to Cambodia. The DPAA-designed poster to commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day was unveiled by then VFW Director for Public Affairs Joe Davis and the League Chairman. (Posters were provided to all at the conclusion of Opening Session.)
A key feature of the Opening Session was the Retrospective of the difficult early years, 1981-89, during which President Reagan made clear the priority he placed on accounting as fully as possible for our Vietnam War POW/MIAs, later amended to include original status KIA/BNRs. For the first time, the postwar build-up of US efforts to pursue bilateral cooperation with Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia was provided in succinct, accurate presentations. The priority with which accounting objectives were pursued and sustained in later years brought the accounting effort to where it is today. More than most Americans, Vietnam War POW/MIA families and veterans recognize the validity of what was accomplished by utilizing Vietnam's self-described "bridge to normalization of relations” with the US that brought about the US-constructed "Roadmap to Normalization" of relations, through which 996 Americans have been accounted for since the actual end of the Vietnam War in 1975.
The chronology laid out by League Senior Policy Advisor Richard Childress, having served eight years as Director of Asian Affairs on the Reagan National Security Council Staff, provided the accurate back-ground of efforts during these difficult years in which Ann Mills-Griffiths participated as a full member of the US Government’s POW/MIA Interagency Group (IAG). Other key participants were former Deputy Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary of Defense/Asian & Pacific Affairs Rich Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Assistant Secretary of State/Asian & Pacific Affairs Paul Wolfowitz (also later US Ambassador to Indonesia and President of the World Bank), League Policy Advisor, US Ambassador to Thailand and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State/Asian & Pacific Affairs David Lambertson, League Policy Advisor and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State/Asian & Pacific Affairs Matt Daley, and Ambassadors Charlie Salmon, Laos, and Charlie Twining, Cambodia. (The presentations of these distinguished gentlemen, all ranking US officials, were covered by Facebook live; Richard Childress’ remarks can be found on the League’s website and are available from the League office by request.)
Following a break for lunch, DPAA Director Kelly K. McKeague presented remarks about “DPAA’s Vietnam War Accounting Roadmap” and reaffirmed his pledge to maintain operational priority on achieving the fullest possible accounting for Vietnam War missing. Immediately following and well-received were brief commitments from supportive Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) who have long supported the League and US Government efforts. Carrying messages from their respective organizations were American Legion National Vice Commander John Milburn, DAV Executive Director Randy Reese, JWV Executive Director Herb Rosenbleeth, SOA Vice President/Chairman of the Joint SOA/SFA POW/MIA Committee Mike Taylor, VVA National POW/MIA Chairman Grant Coates and VFW Director of Communications & Public Affairs Joe Davis.
Ambassadors Ha Kim Ngoc of Vietnam, Khamphan Anlavan of Laos and Chum Sounry of Cambodia gave very interesting, impactful remarks on “Impressions from Hanoi, Vientiane & Phnom Penh.” Presenting first, Vietnamese Ambassador Ngoc presented a series of three personal stories, including the tragic helicopter crash in April 2001 during joint field operations. The loss of seven Americans and nine Vietnamese included Ambassador Ngoc’s best friend, also a Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, serving in the Americas Bureau. Upon conclusion, Ambassador Ngoc was given a standing ovation, as were all at the end of this very special segment of the program.
The 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting Dinner and Candlelight Ceremony was made even more special this year by the remarks of then Army Chief of Staff GEN Mark Milley, now confirmed by the Senate as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). His message made clear his full support for the accounting mission and the League's responsible role over the last 50 years in pursuing answers. Former League staff member, now DPAA Disinterment Director, Wendy Coble sang a beautiful rendition of “Climb Every Mountain.”
For the first time, and in commemoration of the League’s 50th Anniversary, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Senior Policy Advisor Richard T. Childress, and a Lifetime Service Award was presented to Central Region Coordinator Liz Flick. These two awards are unlikely ever again to be presented. Previously, the highest League award was the Distinguished Service Award, presented only 12 times since inception. This year, that very prestigious award was presented to former Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon for his dedication to the accounting mission since 1982. Finally, the League Award was presented to BG Steven Redmann, USAF (Ret), then Deputy Chief of Staff to Army Chief of Staff General Milley. As the only Air Force officer to ever lead accounting operations, in this instance Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA), his reliable, quiet support for the League and the mission were and are recognized as notable and very meaningful.
On Friday morning, the presentation by LTG Robert Ashley, USA, Director of DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), again had the audience's full, undivided attention. LTG Ashley noted his personal and professional determination to specifically contribute to League and USG efforts to account for our Vietnam War missing. He made clear his unwavering commitment to the mission and full support for DIA's team of skilled POW/MIA investigators, known as the Stony Beach Team. the only element of the US Government devoted solely to Vietnam War accounting efforts. These highly trained POW/MIA intelligence collectors briefed on current operations and approach.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood, the only senior DoD Policy Official to attend, also spoke on Friday, June 21st. Briefings were given by DPAA Deputy Director for Operations RDML Jon Kreitz, Director for Partnerships and Innovations (focused on scientific advances) Dr. Tom Holland, Deputy Director for Outreach & Communications Johnie Webb, Europe-Med and Indo-Pacific Regional Directors, COL Brian Pearl, USA, and Col Brian Peterson, USMC, Det. 2 Commander LTC Adam Points, USA, and DPAA Underwater Archaeologist Rich Wills, longtime, dedicated civilian specialist.
Chairman’s Comment: There was much more to this year's 50th Anniversary commemoration, and we appreciate DPAA's having supported coverage by streaming Facebook live, as well as posting links on the DPAA website to go back and watch/listen at your convenience. Especially appreciated was DPAA Director Kelly McKeague’s pledge of five years of operational priority on Vietnam War accounting.
Despite continuing dysfunction within DPAA resulting in disappointment, there is reason for cautious optimism. With sustained support from the families and our nation’s veterans, the League is determined to press for answers on Vietnam War missing. So long as Vietnam War accounting efforts remain DPAA’s operational priority, we also support investigations and recoveries on cases of unaccounted-for WWII, Korean War and Cold War personnel over disinterment and ID of remains of the known dead. We also recognize that DPAA is pursuing numbers to satisfy Congressional expectations and the least expensive, most effective means to raise the ID count is disinterment of Korean War and WWII personnel, known dead and buried in US cemeteries around the world, and not individually identified. DPAA’s primary mission is to account as fully as possible for missing US personnel, not “just” mortuary duties to disinter and identify the known dead, meaningful as that is to their families.
I wish all of you could have been with us; we've come a long, long way, yet we have much to do to meet ongoing challenges. Your support and direct engagement, especially through social media, are strongly encouraged. This year’s annual meeting was the largest, most significant in years. That isn’t especially surprising since it was a year-long effort to plan and schedule speakers to maximize effectiveness. Members who had not attended in years didn’t want to miss this 50th Anniversary commemoration!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION, 2019-2021: The League’s bylaws require an election every other year, and 2019 was an election year. Results were announced at the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Re-elected were all sitting members of the Board – Pam Cain, Karoni Forrester, Ann Mills-Griffiths, Sue Scott, Mark Stephensen and Cindy Stonebraker – with the exception of Eldon Robinson, MIA brother, who was again serving as League Treasurer. Sadly, Eldon fell critically ill, was unable to stand for re-election and passed away just before the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. CA State Coordinator Bruce Hallberg, having been elected, was selected by the Board to serve as Treasurer. Selected to again serve in the positions of Chairman/CEO, Vice Chairman and Secretary were Ann Mills-Griffiths, Mark Stephensen and Cindy Stonebraker, respectively. Sadly, Cindy recently resigned due to family obligations, and MIA Son Joseph Stuart, the candidate with the next highest votes, assumed her Board position. Pam Cain was then elected as Secretary of the Board for 2019-2021, a position she previously held some years ago. We are grateful to her for stepping up to serve again.
HOPE FOR TALKS TO RESUME ON KOREAN WAR REMAINS RECOVERIES. Though there still is no clarity on when/whether agreement to resume remains recovery operations in North Korea will occur, there is ongoing speculation, as well as effort. The subject is reportedly high on the agenda, as it is something both leaders agree should be pursued on a separate humanitarian basis, regardless of political and/or policy differences. In this instance, no news is NOT good news, and it is hoped that working level talks to sort through specific issues related to in-country cooperation can resume in the spring, once the frozen ground allows such field recoveries.
IDENTIFICATION STATISTICS: It should also be noted that as many as 35 IDs have been made on remains that came out of North Korea in the 55 flag-draped transfer cases. In addition, DPAA leaders stated publicly that the DNA on as many as 150 US personnel, plus approximately 100 indigenous personnel, may be represented by remains that were turned over in the 55 transfer cases. With the very high percentage of DNA reference samples that Korean War families have ensured are available, the count of IDs of Korean War KIA/BNRs, both disinterred from US cemeteries and from the earlier unilateral DPRK turnover of the K-208 (representing as many as 500-600 individuals), the prospect is high for many more Korean War personnel being ID’d and returned to their families for honorable burial in the near term. Korean War IDs for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) reached 73. The WWII total is even higher, standing at 140 for FY19. Only 5 Vietnam War personnel were accounted for during that same time, for a total of 218 IDs announced by DPAA for FY19, a record for the DPAA Lab.
INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY REPORT
PREPAREDNESS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND PROMOTING A NETWORKED REGION
Following excerpts are from the Defense Department's June 1, 2019 publication, pages 36-37 & 40, all very relevant to Vietnam War accounting and, for those interested in better understanding the broader policy implications and opportunities, the full report would be of significant interest.
VIETNAM: The Department is building a strategic partnership with Vietnam that is based on common interests and principles, including freedom of navigation, respect for a rules-based order in accordance with international law, and recognition of national sovereignty. The U.S.-Vietnam defense relationship has grown dramatically over the past several years, as symbolized by the historic March 2018 visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier for the first time since the Vietnam War.
The Department is working to improve Vietnam’s defense capabilities by providing security assistance, including Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, T-6 trainer aircraft, a former U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter, and small patrol boats and their associated training and maintenance facilities. The U.S. military also engages in numerous annual training exchanges and activities to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability with the Vietnam People’s Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. Additionally, DoD has provided training and technical assistance to support Vietnam’s 2018 deployment of a medical unit to the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan, and will continue to provide assistance to facilitate future deployments.
Our increasingly strong defense ties are based on a foundation of close cooperation to address legacy of war and humanitarian issues, which predates the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1995. As we look to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations in 2020, DoD remains committed to supporting U.S. efforts to clean up dioxin contamination and remove unexploded ordnance, and appreciates Vietnam’s continued assistance to account for U.S. personnel missing from the Vietnam War.
LAOS: Strategically located in the geographic heart of ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region, Laos presents opportunities for deepening security, economic, and diplomatic engagement. China is increasingly focused on Laos, and Beijing continues efforts to expand its strategic footprint through large debt-fueled investments, especially in infrastructure and energy. However, Laos is wary of overdependence and is seeking to diversify its partners and options.
At the same time, Laos is experiencing a significant demographic shift – with a large majority of its population under the age of 35 – which presents a unique opportunity to engage a new, outward looking generation. The Lao military prioritizes Vietnam, Russia, and to a lesser degree China as its primary security partners. At the same time, the Laotian military is slowly expanding its international engagement portfolio, first to ASEAN and to a lesser degree to countries in the region such as Japan, Australia, and India.
The United States supports activities that advance Laos’ integration into ASEAN, such as defense modernization, interoperability, English language proficiency, and respect for a rules-based international order. In the meantime, we are working to move past war legacy issues related to the Vietnam War and aim to conclude Prisoner of War/Missing in Action recovery operations honorably, and by 2030 to make Laos substantially risk-free of U.S.-sourced unexploded ordnance.
CAMBODIA: DoD seeks to build a productive military-to-military relationship with the Kingdom of Cambodia that protects its sovereignty, promotes military professionalism, and helps it become a responsible and capable contributor to regional security. In early 2017, Cambodia suspended all military-to-military exercises with the United States. We, however, continue to cooperate in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian mine action, medical research, and U.S. Missing in Action personnel accounting.
Chairman’s Comment: It is very encouraging to see the POW/MIA accounting mission integrated into US policy priorities by release of this significant document during the very important Singapore Dialogue. Perhaps now we'll also see follow-through by senior officials throughout the interagency policy community to reinforce the importance of the accounting effort to the United States, the affected families, our nation's veterans and the American people. This specific report forms the basis for widespread implementation and will be extremely helpful so long as our expectations are reasonable and all aspects of official efforts are coordinated and fully integrated to maximize effectiveness and expand accounting results.
CONGRATULATIONS AND SINCERE APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO WORKED TO BRING ABOUT THIS HOPEFUL RENEWAL OF SERIOUS EFFORTS!
DPAA-HOSTED FAMILY UPDATES: DPAA-hosted Family Member Updates (FMUs) are no longer restricted solely to family members. Responsible Veteran Service Organization (VSO) representatives can now be included, as are League and other Non-Government Organization (NGO) officials. Following are upcoming dates and locations: San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 2nd; Las Vegas, NV, January 25th; Portland, OR, February 22nd; Miami, FL, March 21st; Little Rock, AR, April 18th; Chicago, IL, May 16th, Washington, DC, *June 24-27th; Washington, DC, **August 6-7th; and Colorado Springs, CO, September 12th.
*Held during the League’s 51st Annual Meeting
**DPAA-hosted Korean War-Cold War Annual Government Briefings
US-RUSSIA JOINT COMMISSION (USRJC) ON POW/MIA AFFAIRS: The anticipated Plenary Session that originally was scheduled for later this year has been postponed at the request of the Russian Side, though Korean War and Cold War Working Group talks will be held later this year. The full Plenary Session is tentatively scheduled to take place in the Spring, in Moscow. By that time, it is anticipated that the Russian side of the USRJC will be fully appointed, authorized by President Putin and in place.
In the interim, the Vietnam War Working Group met during the League’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. The abbreviated session was co-chaired by US Chairman and DPAA Director Kelly McKeague and Colonel Eduard Paderin, Chief Archival Service, Russian Ministry of Defense. More recently, Joint Commission Support Directorate (JCSD) Senior Research Analyst supporting the Vietnam War Working Group Svetlana Shevchenko visited Ukraine to pursue relevant interviews with veterans who served during the Vietnam War as Air Defense advisors to and trainers of Vietnamese pilots. It was the Air Defense Museum that the USRJC visited during the Plenum in Moscow in 2017, and their archives related to communications emanating from their early Vietnam War service are of intense interest.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTARY: VIETNAM WAR-RELATED PERSPECTIVE: The numbers still missing and unaccounted-for in Vietnam War-related countries are spelled out on page one of this Newsletter. Beyond that, little specific information is available, other than that gleaned from a chart distributed at the DPAA-hosted Annual Government Briefings for the Korean War-Cold War families.
In relative terms, it is good news! The number of Vietnam War personnel assessed as “unrecoverable” has dropped from roughly 700-800 at the end of the war in 1975 to now under 500. This may be due to increased DPAA technical capacity to more rapidly screen and evaluate digitized e-Case Files. Reportedly, these contain initial case-related information and all subsequent information that relates or may relate to each missing individual, as required by law and successive Presidential Directives since they began post-war during the Reagan Administration.
As to specifics, useful information is seldom regularly or transparently distributed to the League, and presumably others, and is increasingly hard to discern, even if regularly checking the DPAA website. Statistical information that used to be readily available is now restricted, often under the ever-increasing requirement to ensure the safety and security of personnel deployed to undertake field investigations, research and recoveries.
As applied to advance release of field activities, the caution is understandable, but hard to defend after operations begin in Vietnam War-related counterpart countries. In Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, media attention is often drawn to POW/MIA accounting operations that proceed as separate, humanitarian endeavors, despite policy and political differences.
That is as it should be and as was established by President Reagan when he came into office in 1981, determined to pursue POW/MIA accounting as a matter of highest national priority. This pattern formed the basis on which the US and Vietnam moved forward in a spirit of humanitarian reciprocity that has served the mission well. The Trump Administration decided to utilize this same “separate, humanitarian” concept for the Singapore Summit in August, 2018.
NOTICE: THOSE OF YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA (FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, SNAPCHAT, LINKEDIN) CAN HAVE MAJOR IMPACT ON ACHIEVING ACCOUNTING OBJECTIVES! CHECK LEAGUE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS AND WEBSITE, THEN MESSAGE ALL MEDIA OUTLETS TO COVER POW/MIA ACCOUNTING EFFORTS AND RESULTS, RESPONSIBLY!
The League is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 humanitarian organization (IRS 23-7071242),
eligible for donations through the Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #10218
Donate today, 501(C)3, #23-7071242, at www.pow-miafamilies.org
Download Current Newsletter