Veterans donate ‘honor chair’ to recognize POW/MIAs
Members of two local veteran’s organizations donated a POW/MIA chair to Montgomery County officials during a ceremony recognizing POW/MIA Day.
The ceremony, held Friday in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial outside the county courthouse, culminated with the dedication of the chair thatwas donated by members of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 25 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 349. The three county commissioners were present to accept the donation.
“It is imperative that we honor the lives of those who have risked theirs so that we may enjoy our freedoms,” Commissioner Joe Gale said. “Wemust never forget those we have lost in the line of duty.”
The POW/MIA chair will remain on display next to the grand staircase at the courthouse as a permanent memorial.
“The dedication of the POW/MIA chair is a way for us to recognize, remember, and honor our service men and women, especially those who were prisoners of war or missing in action, and reflect on their sacrifice for our county and our country,” said Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro.
Officials said the so-called “honor chair” has become a common fixture at non-veteran organization facilities as a way to show support for POW/MIAs. The empty chairs represent Americans who were or are missing from each of the services, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, “and civilians, all with us in spirit,” officials said.
“This chair, which we are donating, is a symbol of the great sacrifices made by those who have served our country,” said Bill Keyes, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chap- ter 25 and vice-president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 349. “Many lost their lives orwere missing in action and many others returned home broken in body and mind.
“We can never forget their service, never forget their sacrifice, and never forget our obligation to embrace our veterans, thank them for their service, and support them with respect, compassion, and understanding. We hope that the dedication of the POW/MIA chair will serve to honor our POW/ MIAs and their families each and every day,” Keyes added.
Officials said Chapter 25 of Disabled American Veterans has a proud 75 year history of service dedicated to all U.S. military veterans and the community and works to empower veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. The Vietnam Veterans of America seeks to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans, officials said.
“Over the last few years, Montgomery County has implemented new services to support veterans throughout the community, and at the beginning of this year, the county eliminated veteran homelessness, reaching ‘functional zero,’ which means that all veterans who were located and were willing to accept housing have been permanently housed, or are sheltered and on a path to permanent housing,” added Commissioner Val Arkoosh.
The Montgomery County Veterans Affairs Department also provides information to Montgomery County veterans, their dependents, and survivors regarding their rights and the various county, state, and federal benefits they may be entitled to receive and assists them to apply for these benefits.
Veterans in need of assistance may call the Montgomery County Veterans Affairs Department at 610278-3285.
POW/MIA Day was established by Congress in 1998 and serves as an important reminder of those who were captured while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing, and of the government’s commitment to account for those veterans and repatriate their remains. The day is observed every third Friday of September.
“The dedication of the POW/ MIA chair is away for us to recognize, remember, and honor our servicemen and women, especially those who were prisoners of waror missing in action, and reflect on their sacrifice for our county and our country.” — Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro