Hamilton County Commemorates 2023 POW-MIA Day

  • Tuesday, September 19, 2023

The Executive Board of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter # 203, Honor Guard and members of Hamilton County Government gathered on Friday on the South Lawn of the Hamilton County Courthouse to commemorate POW-MIA Day.

Following a opening invocation by Vietnam veteran Bill Norton, USMC, CAVC Chairman Wayne Belk, USAF welcomed attendees with reminder of the significance of the day. “On this day, we pause to honor the devotion and courage of those American patriots who remain missing. We renew our commitment to their families and promise that we will never rest until every man is brought home. We do not leave a man behind…”

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Historian and CAVC Secretary Linda Moss Mines offered comments about the history of the day. “From the earliest days of the American Revolution, our nation has suffered the loss of men who have died in captivity or have suffered an unknown fate at the hands of enemy combatants. Today, more than 81,000 men from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts remain lost to their families and their nation. With modern technology and DNA analysis, each year we reclaim the remains of members of our armed forces and return them to their families in a bittersweet ‘Welcome Home’ but too many are still identified as MIAs. No member of our military serves alone and their families deserve to know their fate. This day reminds us that the work is not finished. We have not forgotten.”

Special recognition was paid to Bo Cline, World War II US Army Air Corps POW, and John Sparks, Vietnam Conflict POW, both Hamilton County residents.

Following a moment of silence for POWs and MIAs, the VVA Chapter # 203 Honor Guard hoisted the POW-MIA flag and it will remain flying until Friday. Hamilton County Commissioner Jeff Eversole lead the Pledge of Allegiance as participants renewed resolve to keep the issue of MIA recovery before the U. S. government.


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