Message from Councilman Roc White - September 16, 2022
When I visit the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington D.C., I pause for a moment at the commemorative chair that sits in Emancipation Hall.
As we mark National POW/MIA Recognition Day today – the third Friday in September – allow me to share the statement that is engraved on that chair, resting upon a platform made of marble, flanked by the flag of the United States and the POW/MIA flag:
The plaque reads: "Let this empty chair serve as a memorial to those who served in the military of our great nation but have not returned home to us. They are Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. America will forever be grateful for your bravery and sacrifice in service to our nation. We will never forget."
As a U.S. Marine who served in the Gulf War, I have heard countless stories of soldiers who served our great nation, were captured and never returned home. Today is an important moment to reflect on those great Americans who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those who are still missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.
Many are unaware of this important day on the calendar, as well as the fact that there are still more than 81,500 Americans missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars and other conflicts.
According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, that number includes 2,332 New Jerseyans. One must surmise that a considerable number of those brave individuals are from our own community, with family and friends who still pray for their safe return.
On this day, I want to salute this federal accounting agency within the U.S. Department of Defense. This team is fully committed to the near impossible mission of locating missing military personnel from past wars. It is their solemn duty to military families and to our nation. I thank them for their noble service.
I am comforted with the fact that our government remains fully committed to locating missing servicemen and women, providing some closure to their families and underscoring the fact that America does not leave anyone behind.
Today, and every day, I urge you to take note of the many POW/MIA flags that fly in Scotch Plains and surrounding towns. Veterans, their families and other patriots display this flag during September and throughout the year so that we may always remember our service members who were prisoners of war and those who remain missing, decades and generations later.
Another way to honor our POW/MIA service members is by visiting the various memorials to these service members and reflecting on how their sacrifices helped secure the freedom that we enjoy today.
Locally, the Union County Board of County Commissioners held a POW/MIA Remembrance Day on the steps of the Union County Courthouse this morning in Elizabeth, with an invocation led by Union County Commander, VFW Bobby Jeans.
The guest speaker was United States Air Force Sgt. Ernesto M. Hernandez of Scotch Plains. The National Anthem and God Bless America was performed by Kimberly Pierre, as well as a presentation of colors, a rifle salute, TAPS and the Retirement of the Colors. I thank them all for participating.
Together, on this and every day, we must continue to remember the sacrifices made by those in our armed forces as well as their families who were prisoners of war or who never came home.
They are not forgotten.
