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Greetings!
As we look forward to the National POW/MIA
Recognition Day on Friday, September 20th, Legion Riders Chapter 295 reflects on the 2nd Annual POW/MIA Missing Man Run, a days ride from Gaithersburg to Salisbury in memory of Spectre 17.
On September 14th, American Legion Riders Chapter 295 conducted our 2nd Annual POW/MIA Missing Man Run.The The ride was dedicated to the men of Spectre 17, a C-130 Gunship lost of Laos due to enemy fire and in particular Capt's Hart and McDonald. Following a Joint Personnel Accountability (JPAC) mission to Laos, remains we recovered. Some of the remains were identifiable. However, the remains provided to Capt Hart and Capt McDonald's families were DNA tested by a private source and were not of their loved ones. The remains were never accepted by either family.
In addition to ensuring we "Never Forget" the sacrifices of our servicemen and women, we must never forget the sacrifice of the families of those who never returned. Never knowing the fate of their loved ones.
This years ride raised $1375, to providing holiday comfort to those who family members are recuperating from, in some cases horrendous, wounds at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.
Does this intrigue you? Check out the 3rd Annual POW/MIA Missing Man Run, scheduled for FRIDAY, September 12th, 2014. The ride will honor SSG Stephen Geist, a Special Forces Soldier from Silver Spring, MD.
Yours in Service,
Bob Ouellette, Post Commander
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National POW/MIA Recognition Day
 For years, The American Legion supported a National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is now recognized annually on the third Friday of September. This commemoration is set aside to honor the commitment and sacrifices made by this nation's prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action, as well as their families. Until July 18, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor POW/MIAs. In the first year, Congress passed resolutions and the national ceremony was held at the National Cathedral in Washington. The 1st Tactical Squadron from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia flew the Missing Man formation. A poster was published by VA which contained only the letters POW/MIA. That continued until 1982, when a black and white drawing of a POW in captivity was used to show urgency of the situation. Every year, National POW/MIA Recognition Day legislation was introduced until 1985, when Congress determined that commemorative days would no longer be considered. The president now signs a proclamation each year. The National League of Families proposed the third Friday of September as a commemoration date. Most of the National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies have taken place at the Pentagon. Now, they're held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships, schools, churches, etc. The focus is to ensure that America remembers its responsibility to stand behind those who serve it and to make sure that we do all that is possible to account for those who have not returned. |
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The 2nd Annual Missing Man Run raised $1375, excluding registration fees.
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POW/MIA Empty Chair
Resolution 288, adopted at the 67th American Legion National Convention, calls for designating a POW/MIA Empty Chair at all official meetings of The American Legion as a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States.
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Operation Provide Comfort
Founded to support wounded warriors at Bethesda Naval Hospital, OPC has shifted focus to provided support and information for those who have loved ones who may be exhibiting signs of stress or PTSD.
In January 2003, Legionnaires from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial American Legion Post 295 in Gaithersburg, MD have been assisted wounded and sick military members with personal care needs while they are undergoing rehabilitation at the area's military hospitals.
You may have seen that the American Legion is now promoting Operation Comfort Warrior. A pamphlet on OPC was provided to an incoming National Commander at the Maryland Convention and miraculously he announced his program a month later. The only part of this that stinks is that he never acknowledged the inspiration.
Use the button below to make your tax deductible donation to OPC.
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