ON September19, at the Andersonville Georgia National
Prisoner of War Museum - a special ceremony and Memorial Marker unveiling
will he hosted by THE RIDE HOME http://theridehome.com/
The tribute will be for Capt Floyd James Thompson, Special
Forces, Americas longest held POW. http://pownetwork.org/bios/t/t030.htm
If you are not familiar with the Ride Home, I ask you to
visit the above noted website. (full disclosure, I sit on the Board of
Directors). I urge you - if you are a former POW, to take advantage of
the tribute weekend, recognition, and camaraderie offered - TRH covers
room, tribute, banquet costs for you and a guest. You just have to
get there! It is a biker casual (jeans) weekend for POWs from ALL conflicts,
and families of those still missing, as well as families of those who now have
answers with remains having been returned.
We took up the challenge of a Presidential Proclamation,
“I call upon the people of the United States to join me in
honoring and remembering all former American prisoners of war and those missing
in action who valiantly served our great country. I also call upon Federal,
State, and local government officials and private organizations to observe this
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
Each year, our goals are to invite, as our guests, former
POWs and MIA families, offering a recognition commensurate with their
extraordinary courage and valor, to increase the number of participants paying
tribute, and to increase public awareness and commitment that we will never
forget.
If you are Special Forces - active or retired - please
support this effort to recognize your brother, held captive just short of NINE
YEARS. This truly will be a moving tribute - deserved but not received -
as he lived tormented by his captivity, with his story ignored by media until
his passing.
Proposed Itinerary - Friday, 19 September 2014
0715 hrs. - Motorcycle Escort for all Honored Guest from
Americus to Andersonville, National Prisoner of War Museum, National Historical
Site and National Cemetery (former POWs CAN RIDE with an escort on bikes)
0830 hrs. – Missing in Action Memorial Service – National
Cemetery
0900 hrs. – Memorial Service for Colonel F. J.
Thompson, Longest held American POW
1000 hrs. – National Prisoner of War Museum, National
Historic Site open for viewing & tours
(email me - info@pownetwork.org - for full proposed weekend itinerary)
(email me - info@pownetwork.org - for full proposed weekend itinerary)
There is a beautiful POW/MIA memorial in OLD Andersonville, just across from the prison grounds. It was dedicated last year and is itself, worth the trip. If you have never been to Andersonville - do it now! It is an amazing part of our history.
There is time for each "conflict" to have private
moments, or join "meet and greets" Thurs evening, ceremonies on
Friday that include a dinner, and a very moving, wonderful individual POW
recognition on Saturday followed by lunch.
As with all events, if you cannot attend - monetary support
is needed to cover the costs involved with hosting those that have sacrificed
so much. This is not a one time effort - but has a past - and will have a
future. Sponsors are needed. Corporate support is needed. Donations ARE tax
deductible. Participation is welcome.Friday morning, dinner (http://theridehome.com/heroesdinner.html --
NO tickets at door) and Sat recognition is open to all.
Feel free to distribute this. Recognition is due
- honor deserved - and after 4 obits in my mail this week - there may not be a
"next year" for many of these former POWs.
Should have, could have, would have.... They returned with honor - the least we can do now - is honor them.
Should have, could have, would have.... They returned with honor - the least we can do now - is honor them.
--
No comments:
Post a Comment