POW/MIA Day will be commemorated with a special ceremony at noon on Friday in the Rotunda of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Area residents will pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war, as well as those who are missing in action, and their families. Mayor Jim Coppinger will welcome the community and all are invited to attend.
Three local former POWs, SP6 John Sparks, U.S. Army, POW, 1968-1973, Lt. Col. Bill Gauntt, U.S. Army POW, 1973-1974 and 2LT Earl L. (Bo) Cline, U.S. Army Air Corps, POW, 1944-1945, will be heralded with personal introductions, including a Quilt of Valor presentation for each by Jessica M. Dumitru, regent, Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR. A remembrance roll of those MIAs from the region will be read and family members will be recognized.
The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter # 203 Honor Guard, led by Denny Miller, will present the colors and the Hat Team, led by Bob Holloway, will create the "Missing Man" memorial ceremony.
All veterans in attendance will be recognized with special tokens of remembrance, provided by the Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR and The Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
Following the ceremony, the POW/MIA Flag will be hoisted on the Hamilton County flagpole and will remain flying until Oct. 1. The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. The flag features a white disk bearing in black silhouette a man’s bust, a watch tower with a guard on patrol, and a strand of barbed wire. White letters “POW” and “MIA”, with a white five-pointed star in between, are typed above the disk. Below the disk is a black and white wreath above the motto “You Are Not Forgotten” written in white, capital letters.
For more information, contact Hamilton County Historian Linda Moss Mines at localhistorycounts@gmail.com.