VietNow National Magazine

POW/MIA Issue
How do we keep the fires burning?

By Rich Sanders – VietNow National President

A How do we keep the fires of the “Prisoner of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA)” issue burning? Don’t expect an answer here in this article. I just know that the fires aren’t – burning that is.

I have been witness to or part of several happenings in the past year that have caused me to ask that question in more of a desperation tone than from an inquisition perspective.

I recently asked a group of high school students, “What comes to your mind when you see a POW/MIA flag?” and, “What do you think should be done about the POW/MIA issue?” The response to the first question: If the black flag is flying in front of someone’s house, I think that a veteran probably lives there – probably an older veteran – probably a Vietnam veteran.

A business will fly that flag under the U.S. flag because of all the people who have died and who have not returned. The response to the second question:
We must always remember them and not forget. They are a part of our war history.

No mention of live POWs. No mention of current POWs.

Going out on the street and asking the public simple questions about the POW/MIA issue, or asking them their feelings about the issue, will bring similar responses that portray an amazing lack of knowledge. But it’s not really the fault of the public. Where do they go to get their information? That’s right, the major media outlets. With the exception of a few POW/MIA focused organizations, there is no readily available tool to use for information.

A close family member recently asked me if I had heard any updated information about Bowe Berghdal (captured in Afghanistan). I flippantly answered, “No, he was captured. He’s forgotten.” The sarcasm in my response was much intended.

Of course the circumstances concerning Bergdahl’s capture were quickly given a dose of Bobby Garwood-style discrediting prior to any fact finding or investigation. A high ranking military official even mentioned the words treason and aiding and abetting the enemy concerning the video that was released subsequent to his capture.

An Internet search for any current information for Ahmed Altaie (captured in Iraq on 12/11/06) took me to a blog at: missingman.blogspot.com/2008/08/ahmed-al-taie.html. A blogger named Megan posted: “Thank you for keeping these stories in the public eye. It’s so easy for people to be forgotten as time goes along, and so vital for families and friends to know someone, anyone, is still listening.”

Kelly posted: “I just came across this post. Why isn’t this man’s story in the news? He and Pfc. Bergdahl (captured in Afghanistan) should not be ignored.”
Susie posted: “I don’t know why, but there seems to be little interest in those who are still missing in Iraq. I don’t want to say that their lives have been written off – but I’m afraid that’s very much the impression I got after my trip to Washington, DC last year.” Again, this is buried deep in the Internet. I didn’t find this by watching the evening news.

I recently attended the annual conference of a POW/MIA organization. I found myself coming away from that weekend of meetings dumbfounded by the sparse attendance and the sparse amount of information available. This used to be the meeting that recharged everyone and fueled their fires.

A few weeks later, I attended the memorial service for Scott Speicher, which was hosted by the city of Jacksonville, Florida. I found myself equally as dumbfounded. This service was fittingly reverent, solemn, and respectful. It was very well organized and highly attended. But, in my mind, it lacked in several ways. There was no military participation in any of the color guards in the ceremony. I didn’t see one POW/MIA flag in the crowd. I got the impression that many of the dignitaries were in attendance simply because it would be a good place to be seen, as if it were some type of social event. I couldn’t help wondering how active they had been in the Scott Speicher case prior to that day.

A huge sign reading “Free Scott Speicher” attached to the side of a fire truck parked along the curb stood out like a wart on a beauty queen’s nose. I liked it.
As the pessimism oozes from all of the above, my mind reflects back to a time of highly charged POW/MIA activism. I was part of a twelve-hour vigil during a POW/MIA Christmas tree-lighting event. A reporter had just been presented with documentation that contained information about live Americans being left behind at the end of the Vietnam War. She was noticeably shaken by this enlightenment. She asked the group of us, who were a part of that day’s activities, how long we would keep doing this event? In unison, we all responded, “As long as it takes!”

That was over two decades ago. I’m sure many of those people who gave that impromptu response would answer the same way today. But we sure do need to fan the fires from time to time to keep them burning.

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