SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 – Veterans, active duty Marines and civilians gathered for a solemn ceremony marking National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day at Veterans Home of California – Barstow, Sept. 21.
In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.
Captain Adam Rahman, company commander, Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, and the Marines of HQCO conducted the ceremony.
Rahman read to the gathered veterans about the origin of the POW/MIA flag and how in 1971 Mary Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for a symbol commemorating POW/MIA service members. Hoff joined with Norman Rivkees, vice-president of the flag and banner manufacturing company Annin and Company to design the emblem for the flag.
The website https://www.pow-miafamilies.org/ explains that the flag bears the emblem of a white disk in black silhouette containing the bust of a man, a watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire. Above the disk are the white letters POW and MIA framing a white five-pointed star; below the disk is a black and white wreath above the white motto “You Are Not Forgotten.”
After the origin of the flag was explained, 1st Sgt. Enrique De Anda and the Marines of HQCO conducted the “Missing Man Table Ceremony.” (See inset)
Veterans home residents from all branches of the military who were able, attended the ceremony to pay tribute to those who were imprisoned during wartime and those who have never returned home from war.
They spoke about their reactions to the simple but moving ceremony.
“I admire all military ceremonies,” Alfredo Granado, Air Force veteran and home resident said. “I like meeting the Marines who conduct the ceremony here once a year because they’re very respectful and very cordial to the veterans here.”
Still, the ceremony was a harsh reminder for those who had friends captured during combat.
“I had a friend who was in the Hanoi Hilton prison in Vietnam for seven and a half years,” Joseph S. Twohig, Air Force veteran said, “so this ceremony has real meaning for me.”
Some whom attended the event were emotional and still have a glimmer of hope that our MIAs are returned home someday.
“It was excellent. I’m very touched by these ceremonies. After all, that could be us. I’m praying that those missing out there will be found, dead or alive,” said Carol Ness, the widow of a Marine Corps veteran, who came to watch the ceremony.
Closing remarks were provided by James Sullivan, Veterans Home of California-Barstow administrator, who had this to say:
“We have 28 World War II veterans. The largest group of veterans come from the Korean War, the Vietnam War and now for the first time we’re beginning to see veterans from the Gulf War coming in. We have conducted the POW/MIA Missing Man Table ceremony for the past 21 years, and all of the veterans who are physically able to come to the event attend.”
Story by Keith Hayes
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow