There are thousands of POW/MIA sites on the worldwide web. All well intentioned and sincere about the return of our unaccounted for MIA's. All well intentioned and sincere about honoring our Repatriated POWs.
My sorrow for our MIA's and their families is just as sincere, and I too pray for a full accounting. My respect for and honor of our Repatriated POWs should be without question.
However, there is a group of American Former POWs who are now missing through inaction (their's or our's).
The Veterans Administration told us that an estimated 49,707 Former POWs were living as of January 4, 2000. Of these, more than 23,000 received VA compensation or pension for conditions related to their service and incarceration as POWs.
In September 2003, the VA estimated there were still more than 11,000 Former POWs for whom they do not have an address, who should be receiving benefits.
They are also due the POW Metal/Ribbon, the Combat Action Ribbon, perhaps even a Purple Heart (or 2), and some are due the Cold War Recognition Certificate. And, they are due a formal presentation of these awards. Their just due, from a grateful Nation.
The ones whom have already passed on, who never received full and proper recognition for their service during their lives, are still due their honors (posthumously). And their surviving spouse may be due a pension.
So here is what I am asking you to do. There will be (there better be) some kind of ceremony on every US Military Instillation around the world.
You'll bring in the usual suspects from the local EX-POW organization. You might even go to the bother to round up a few of the not so usual suspects. And if there is a family of one our MIAs in your area you will also invite them. You'll make a couple grand speeches, fly the flag, and maybe even buy them lunch. That's nice, and we and they do appreciate your time and thought and caring.
So this year help us find the missing Repatriated POWs. Ask everyone you know (family and friends) and those you meet if they were ever a POW, or know/knew someone who was. Try to find anyone who was a POW but has never joined an EX-POW organization, or dealt with the Veterans Administration over the past 10-60 years.
Tell them they do not have to join a club or pay dues, but if they could use a little help (this is not charity or welfare, they have earned every bit of it), there are old friends and family waiting for them to call the VA at 1-800-827-1000, or just drop in The AXPOW Web Site.
Thanks in advance
Jack "Well Digger" Turner
