CAMP HENRY, South Korea - Soldiers, Veterans of Foreign Wars 10033 members and civilians from Area IV gathered at the Evergreen Community Club on Camp Walker Sept. 16 to observe National Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day.
“We remember and honor our missing and even possibly bring back those POWs still being held captive,” said Joe Aptaker, VFW 10033 quartermaster.
The third Friday of every September was established by an act of Congress in 1998 as the National POW and MIA Recognition Day. It is one of six days that the POW/MIA flag can be flown.
VFW 10033 hosted the event to commemorate and remember the cost of freedom and democracy.
“You have those who have gone missing, and all service members includes civilians. We want to ensure that they are not forgotten,” said David Martinez, VFW 10033 former senior vice commander and event organizer.
Attendees were given black ribbons as they entered the room to symbolize POWs and those missing in action.
The ceremony consisted of posting of the colors by the color guard, dedication of the unattended table, a speech by guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Brian S. Connie, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command command sergeant major, and a benediction by the chaplain.
The unattended table represents those members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Department of Army civilians who cannot attend because they have become prisoners of war or have gone missing in action.
“Currently 88,000 Americans are listed as missing and unaccounted for going back to the World War II,” Connie said. “That number includes 78,000 Americans from World War II, 8,100 from the Korean War, 1,730 from the Vietnam War, 120 from the Cold War and one each from our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
VFW chapters around the world at military posts support the day of recognition as well as contribute to both the military and local communities.
“We are supporting the Operation Rising Star event, the Voice of Democracy competition for junior high and high school students and other local community services,” Aptaker said.
The VFW is the only veterans’ organization which has sent its senior leadership to Moscow every year since 2004 in efforts to cooperate with Russia to gain access into the former Soviet Military archives.
“We engage with these foreign governments and their veteran organizations on the humanitarian level. We can do this because, politics aside, a veteran is a veteran regardless of the colors of uniforms. Our wars are over,” Connie said.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2011 00:46 |
| Story ID: | 77338 |
| Location: | 27, KR |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Daegu soldiers ensure lost are not forgotten, by CPL Kisoo Chae, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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