From the AFSA Chapter 1320:
Dear Honoree and Family, 
On September 21, 2018, Chapter 1320 of the Air Force Sergeants Association will be hosting our annual POW/MIA remembrance event honoring those that were former POW/MIA members and their families for the sacrifices they have made to this great nation. We would be honored if you could attend the event so you can join us on this special day. If transportation needs to be arranged please let us know so that we can make proper accommodations. The event will take place on Travis Air Force Base. Lunch will begin at 1130, followed by a ceremony that should conclude by 1430. If this is something that you would like to attend, please contact MSgt Michael Richardson either via email at michael.richardson.13@us.af.mil, or via phone at (707)-344-8763 at your earliest convenience so that arrangements can be made for planning purposes. We look forward to meeting you on September 21st.
Yours Truly,
Air Force Sergeant Association, Chapter 1320
Ann Mills-Griffiths:
I again commend the dedication and initiative AFSA demonstrates in support of our nation's effort to account as fully as possible for those who served our country and haven't yet come home. We are indebted for such commitment to the principles we've pursued since 1970 and know how much it means to those serving today to have the assurance that should they be captured or become missing in combat, we'll all be there for them, working earnestly for their return.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” will host the 16th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Alexandria on Monday, 28 May 2018 at 11:00 AM.  The approximately 1-hour Ceremony will honor POW/MIA and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient CPT HR “Rocky” Versace, MIAs SSG Douglas Blodgett, Maj Joseph Davies, Maj Morgan Donahue, 1LT Leland McCants III, Seaman Apprentice John Winkler, the 60 other Alexandrians who died during the Vietnam War, all our POW/MIAs and those in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice.
 
Location is the Capt. Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial; Mount Vernon Recreation Center in the City of Alexandria, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. (intersection of Commonwealth and Mt Vernon Aves.).
 
Website: http://www.virginia.org/Listings/Events/MemorialDayCeremonyVersacePlazaMemorialinAlexandriaVA      
 
Mapquest:http://www.mapquest.com/mapscity=Alexandria&state=VA&address=2701+Commonwealth+Ave

Elbe Day, April 25, 1945, is the day Soviet and American troops met at the Elbe River, near Torgau in Germany, marking an important step toward the end of World War II in Europe. This contact between the Soviets, advancing from the East, and the Americans, advancing from the West, meant that the two powers had effectively cut Germany in two.
The wreath-laying ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery with Ambassador of the Russion Federation, Anatoly Antonov and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Thomas Shannon, Jr. speaking.  .  

The trip was very productive and SOA/SFA's parallel effort demonstrated to all the real partnership that now exists between SOA, SFA and the League, a strong combination that impacted those with whom we met, especially in Vietnam, but also in Laos.
 
The death rate for MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam - Special Operations Group) personnel during the Vietnam War was over 100%, nearly all MIA or KIA/BNR in Vietnamese controlled border areas of Laos and Cambodia.  The vast majority of SOA/SFA losses are in Laos, and include USAF, USMC and USN aircrew members flying in support of MACV-SOG missions, including Bright Light recovery efforts.

We all are most grateful that SOA and SFA are working so constructively to accomplish our shared mission. Like the League, SOA and SFA support recovery and individual ID's on WWII and Korean War personnel, but NOT at the expense of focused priority on achieving the fullest possible accounting for Vietnam War missing.


League Chairman, Ann Mills-Griffiths
 

The 21st Plenum of the US Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs was held November 7 - 9th, 2017 in Moscow. As invited observers, Ann Mills- Griffiths, Chairman of the Board, National League of POW/MIA Families and Bob Wallace, Executive Director, VFW, were in attendance at the meetings as well as participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Federal Memorial Military Cemetery.  They were also taken on tours of the Anti-aircraft Museum and Patriot Park, as well as attending a reconstruction of the historic Red Square Military Parade of November 7, 1941.

Pictured below are Bob Wallace, General Valery Vostrotin, General Robert "Doc" Foglesong (Ret), Ann Mills- Griffiths, and the Russian Honor Guard.
The delegates and attendees were also invited to tour the Russian Air Defense Museum.  Pictured below is the Vietnam War display and a Russian anti-aircraft gun.

HQ Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan held a 24 Hour POW/MIA Remembrance Run/Walk for Recognition Day September 15 -16, 2017. The event included all American and Coalition Forces (NATO Nations/NATO Partners. They presented the League a Certificate of Appreciation and included t-shirts from the run .  Pictured below are Amanda Kingery, League intern and Nicholas DiSano, League archival assistant,  holding the certificate and modeling the shirts, which have all the flags of NATO on the back and the logo below on the front.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was September 15th, 2017.  Countless events and ceremonies took place nationally and abroad.  To see more stories and pictures, please go to our Facebook news-feed.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR BLEVINS AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY FOR SENATE BILL 122, AUTHORIZING CHILDREN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE KY GOLD STAR LICENSE PLATE.  THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED BY NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES BOARD MEMBER AND KY STATE COORDINATOR.

THE POCATELLO POW*MIA AWARENESS ASSOCIATION HELD THE 17TH ANNUAL AWARENESS RALLY & MOTORCYCLE RODEO, JULY 28 & 29, 2017 AT SANDY DOWNS ARENA IN IDAHO FALLS, ID

The tradition continued including the Motorcycle Rodeo, live music, vendors, tribute ceremony, food, entertainment and much more.  The Association is dedicated to the financial support & public awareness of the Prisoners of War and Missing In Action (POW*MIA) issue, the Veterans Home in Pocatello, ID and charities in the local communities.

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL CANDLELIGHT REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

VINCE DARCANGELO, DAV'S NATIONAL POW/MIA CHAIRMAN, ON A TRIP THROUGH BANGOR, MAINE TOOK THESE PHOTOS OF A MISSING MAN CHAIR DISPLAY THAT THE BANGOR AMERICAN LEGION POST INSTALLED AT THE BANGOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

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​17th Annual POW*MIA Awareness Rally and Motorcycle Rodeo        
 
The 17th Annual POW*MIA Motorcycle Drags & Rodeo will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Sandy Downs Arena in Idaho Falls, ID beginning immediately following our “Tribute Ceremony”.  This rodeo is sponsored by Safe Haven Healthcare headquartered in Pocatello. 
 
The Motorcycle Rodeo is much like the livestock rodeos we are all familiar with, however, all events are competed in using motorcycles. We call them our “Iron Horses”.  The events are held in a two part format, with the first being the solo rides.  The solo events are the Slow Race, Keg Push and the Barrel (Clover Leaf) race.  The second part of the rodeo will be two up on a bike and competing in, the Give & Take, Weenie Bite, and the Balloon Toss.  Come on, grab a partner and join the fun!!  Prize purse of $2,000 cash will be awarded.  All competitors are talented athletes on two wheels.
 
Half time entertainment of the 17th Annual Motorcycle Rodeo will be our Kids’ Bicycle Rodeo.   
 
Sign up forms and Rules and Regulations to enter the Motorcycle Rodeo and Motorcycle Bike Drags can be found at the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. web site www.powmiarodeo.org.  Entry fee for the rodeo is $20 per bike and for the Bike Drags it is $10 per bike.
 
Whether you are a participant or a spectator, you are guaranteed a good time!!!

RECOGNITION DAY 2017
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Join us in Clarksville, Tennessee, from September 13 - 16, 2017, to celebrate the service and sacrifice of veterans from across the years, miles and conflicts. This is a time of reflection, remembrance and reunion. League Board member Cindy Stonebraker will be the Key Note speaker at the Remembrance Ceremony.
https://www.welcomehomeveteranscelebration.com/

Lance Sijan Memorial Dedication May 26th, 2017
10:45AM (Motorcycle Parade 9:45AM) 
Announcing the dedication a one acre memorial park (8 years in the making) in memory of Lance Sijan, USAF (MOH), including an F-4 raised on a pedestal, at the entrance to Milwaukee International Airport.
Lance has become an icon of the Air Force. His story is told to all new Air Force officers as part of their schooling, by way of their study of the officers training manual, because of Lance’s strict obedience to the American Fighting Man's Code of Conduct. The US Air Force Academy has named an entire building after him, titled Sijan Hall. There is also a memorial statue located on the Academy grounds in honor of Lance.
http://www.lancesijan.com/ph…/operation-phantom-jet-gallery/

JOLLY and ADMAN (Vietnam War Search & Recovery call signs) continue to protect our Service Members abroad.
An Expeditionary Rescue Group supporting operations in Syria and Iraq, located in Turkey honors the history of our POW/MIAs from previous wars and our commitment to recover US and coalition forces anytime, anywhere. That Others May Live.

​CECIL FIELD POW MIA MEMORIAL

​​    March 9, 2017 
 
Dear Families of POW/MIA, 
 
A couple of years ago, we came upon the POW/MIA Memorial at former Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida. Many are even unaware of the existence of this Memorial. It was later learned that the master plan for Cecil Commerce Center would include developing on and around some of the Memorial areas.  
We believe these areas should be preserved and properly taken care of to continue honoring these brave men. Thus, we formed “Cecil Field POW/MIA Memorial, Inc.”, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Our mission is to protect, preserve, educate and inspire.  
We have been working directly with the City of Jacksonville and Mayor Lenny Curry’s office to acquire 30 acres on a long-term land lease. The lease includes the Hero’s Walk/Freedom Trees, Chapel, Memorial Park, and the necessary acreage for a future development of the POW/MIA Memorial Center. We presented our vision of the site, and there is now legislation written waiting for a vote by City Council members. We feel very optimistic we’ll successfully gain the necessary votes to make it official. In fact, we have an endorsement from U.S. Senator John McCain. He very graciously and very quickly signed a letter supporting our efforts. We anticipate many more.         
At this time, we feel it’s important to notify all families of our mission and solicit any information you are willing to provide to us. We are looking for the history of their naval career, life and family. We are also in need of any information you may have on the original Memorial: dedications, services, artist/designer, etc. Our number one goal is to ensure these brave men are truly NEVER FORGOTTEN! We are going to educate the community and all that visit the Memorial so they will know who these men were and the sacrifices they made in service to our country.  
We have a huge vision for this site and welcome any comments and/or concerns you may have regarding our efforts. In fact, we ask for this, and please feel free to contact me directly by phone or email, both listed below. When you respond, please inform us if you would like for us to send you information on our plans and vision for this POW/MIA memorial area.  
 
Sincerely, M. Cassata 
 
Mike Cassata President Cell (904) 813-8162 Email: cecilfieldpowmia@gmail.com Facebook: Cecil Field POW MIA Memorial 

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” will host the 15th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Alexandria on Friday, 11 November 2016 at 1:00 PM.  The approximately 1-hour indoor Ceremony will honor POW/MIA and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient CPT HR “Rocky” Versace, MIAs SSG Douglas Blodgett, Maj Joseph Davies, Maj Morgan Donahue, 1LT Leland McCants, Seaman Apprentice John Winkler, the 60 other Alexandrians who died during the Vietnam War, all our POW/MIAs as well as all Veterans in attendance.

Location is indoors at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center in the City of Alexandria, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. (intersection of Commonwealth and Mt Vernon Aves.).

Website:    http://www.virginia.org/Listings/Events/VeteransDayCeremonyAlexandria/

​LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville and adidas today unveiled the ‘Young Patriot’ pack, featuring the Primeknit alternate football uniform and the adizero 5-Star 6.0 x KEVLAR® and FREAK x KEVLAR® cleats. The special edition pack pays homage to the nation’s active duty members and veterans, while creating a bold alternate look for the Cardinals for their game against Wake Forest on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
The game serves as Louisville’s annual Military Appreciation Game salute to honor those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces.  Over 1,500 tickets have been generously donated by BAE Systems of Louisville and Humana to distribute to active duty soldiers, Veterans, and their families.

During the game, Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium will dedicate an unoccupied chair that is to remain perpetually empty. The Chair of Honor will pay tribute to the more than 91,000 service members who are POW and MIA since World War I – including current POWs.

The Chair of Honor, which will be permanently installed on the east terrace, will be accompanied by a plaque that reads: “This unoccupied chair honors those who are Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) and symbolizes there will always be a place in this stadium awaiting their return. You will never be forgotten. Dedicated November 2016 by the University of Louisville Cardinals.”

The 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Fighter Pilot Award winners received engraved knives from Shine’s family during a ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Aug. 11, 2016. Maj. Gen. Thomas Deale, left, the Air Combat Command Headquarters director of operations, presented the winners their awards with the Shine family. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R. Alex Durbin)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) — Pilots from across the Air Force gathered for the 2015 Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Fighter Pilot Award ceremony here Aug. 11.The award is presented annually to recognize an exceptional Air Force fighter pilot who has proven excellence and professionalism in flight, as well as dedication to community service.“These pilots continue to be men who serve for more than themselves,” said Colleen Shine, daughter of Lt. Col. Shine, the award’s namesake. “They have devoted hours to their community and to the communities where they were deployed.”Colleen’s mother established the award when her husband, an A-7 Corsair II pilot, did not return home from the Vietnam War. Colonel Shine was missing in action for 24 years, and in 1996 his remains were repatriated and honored with a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Colleen continues to raise awareness for those who are prisoners of war or MIA, by focusing attention on the plight of America’s prisoners and missing not only in Vietnam but also from World War II and the Korean War. The prestigious award continues to honor her father’s legacy while bringing awareness to his fate.