POW / MIA

Since putting on the next rank, it brings w/it of course more responsibilities. Well this year I tackled my first ceremony. Now annually we have a POW/MIA Recognition Day & I chose to tackle it as my first Master of Ceremonies (MC) event.

Here's a little history about POW/MIA Recognition Day:

Until July 18, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor America's POW/MIA's, those returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from our nation's wars. The 1984 National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony was held at the White House, hosted by President Ronald Reagan. At that most impressive ceremony, the Reagan Administration balanced the focus to honor all returned POW's and renew national commitment to accounting for those still missing. Subsequently, in an effort to accommodate all returned POW's and all Americans still missing/unaccounted for from all wars; the National League of Families proposed the third Friday in September, a date not associated with any particular war. National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremonies are now held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, and even state capitols.

This year national POW/MIA Recognition day was held on 19 September 2008. Our guest speaker was a retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major (SgtMaj); SgtMaj Peter “Ski” Gorczewski; who served 3 tours & 2 extensions in Vietnam. He's a very well decorated marine & his decorations include: the Legion of Merit, two Bronze stars with Combat “V;” Seven Purple Hearts; two Navy Commendations with Combat “V;” four Navy Achievement Medals; Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver and Bronze Stars; Good Conduct Medal with nine stars; and 33 various awards. He immigrated from England & then joined the Marine Corps in 1961.

Needless to say his speech made me sniffle, but then when the bugler played taps at the conclusion of the reading & set up of the POW/MIA table I was a goner. SgtMaj is very passionate about POW's & MIA's. Nearly 63 years to the day of our ceremony his own father was once held as a POW. Maybe I was just hormonal, but thankfully my co-chair closed the ceremony.

Please enjoy these photos of the ceremony. After all the planning and watching it unfold; I was very proud of how the ceremony turned out.

Love you guys,
Nyoka