Kansas Vietnam Veterans
Memorial located
in Junction City, KS
State Council meetings are at 200pm
the first Sunday.  In Topeka Apr, Aug,
Dec at 303 SE Van Buren. In Salina
Feb, June, Oct at Sheriff Dept.
Meeting Room - N 10th and Park

Special Notice: If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this
toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7, and tell them you are a veteran. All calls are
confidential.
Past President:
Michael Kuhn
Counter
Kansas        
Vietnam Veterans Of America
Vice -President:
Wayne Purinton
Secretary:
Linda Ortiz
President: Ron Zink
Treasure:
Roland Mayhew
Membership Com.
Mel Lucas

  Jimmy Deister's comments May 30th 2011 in Salina

Memorial Day, 2011 POW/MIA

Good Morning! I would like to thank the VFW and Commander Steve Grandy for
allowing the Vietnam Veterans of America, Salina chapter to present the Prisoners of
War and Missing in Action program on this Memorial Day.
Traditionally, Memorial Day is the occasion to reflect on and to honor those who have
fought and died in defense of our Nation. It is also a day to remember family members,
because behind every veteran on the front lines, there is an anxious, gallant and
sacrificing family at home, and when their loved one makes the supreme sacrifice, their
enormous grief is often coupled with great pride , yet much confusion about how they
will fit into the world  after their great loss.

But, what about those whom we are unsure are dead or alive? The Missing in Action
and Prisoners of War?  Their families have enormous grief, great pride and confusion
also.
So, we must reflect on and honor those who are POW/MIA’s.

In World War I and II, as victors, we were able to repatriate many of our Prisoners of
War. Even thus, the Soviet Union kidnapped many of service personnel whom we have
not yet accounted for. In his book, “The Captives of Korea”, William Lindsey White
indicates that of the total Missing in Action in WW II, 79% were returned alive as
Prisoners of War. In comparison, in Korea, only 30% were returned alive as Prisoners
of War, and 58% are unaccounted for, and evidence is that at least some of these
remained alive after the Armistice.

And , of course, the Vietnam/Southeast Asian war brought us many more Prisoners of
War and Missing in Action. The Defense Department was stunned when North Vietnam
released just 591 POW’s. Henry Kissinger immediately gave the North Vietnamese a list
of 81 men and 1 woman known to be captive and whom we had expected to be
released. The North Vietnamese did not respond then, and have not responded  to this
day concerning that list.  There were 299 Missing in Action who last known to be alive,
including our own Dennis Pugh. Very few remains of these MIA’s have been returned.

After Vietnam, DPMO (Defense Department, POW/MIA office) felt pressure from
POW/MIA activists,  and felt they had a black eye from policies that were leaving our
service personnel behind in enemy hands. So, in order to not leave any more POW’s
behind, they changed the designation from “Prisoner of War” to “Duty Status Unknown,
Whereabouts Unknown”, and when it is proved that they are in enemy hands, it
becomes “ Missing-Captured, Whereabouts Unknown”.
But make no mistake , those who are taken into enemy hands are “Prisoners of War”.
Today, there are two known POW’s in Iraq and Afghanistan. Specialist Ahmed Altale,
held someplace in Iraq, and PFC Bowe Bergdahl, held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The Taliban have offered to trade Bowe for 21 Afghan Prisoners, and Aafia Siddiqui, a
scientist. The Defense Department and the State Department say : “the U.S. does not
negotiate with terroists!”
But this is just not true. We recently traded Russian spies for American spies; we
negotiated with Iran for the three hikers who were kidnapped not long ago, and more
recently, the U.S. paid $2.3 million in blood money to Pakistani families of two men who
were shot while pursuing a CIA Operative, Ray Davis, for his release. It appears that the
only people the U.S. does  not negotiate for are American Service personnel.

The Department of Defense Missing in Action Office is fond of saying that the reason
that they do not follow up on the numerous leads of MIA’s is because there is not public
outcry to do so.  I am asking you, the people of Salina, to start a public outcry. Contact
our two Senators, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, contact our Congressional
Representatives. Ask them why Bowe Bergdahl is not home with his family? Tell them
you would support negotiating for his release. And then ask them for a written response
to your request. What better way is there to honor our Prisoners of War and Missing in
Action than to bring home a live Prisoner of War from Afghanistan?

In closing, I would like to recite a poem written by a friend of mine, Cheryl Huston. The
poem is called: “When Eagles Cry”.

“The first time that the Eagle cried was Homecoming ’73,
When American POW’s went home, but the plane left without me.

The next time the Eagle cried was in April of ’75,
When they said that everyone was home, and none were left alive.

Four years later, when one went home, we heard the Eagle cheer!
We knew that he would tell them all “there’s still Americans here!

With every year that passes, we try to keep the hope alive,
But every year, it is harder, and so, the Eagle cries.

When any Eagle flies in chains, the tears , like raindrops fall,
To be forgotten and denied, after answering America’s call?

So many years have come and gone, they have left us here to die,
How can they ignore the sound?  Can’t they hear the Eagle Cry?

Thank you for your support.
Editorial

People sometimes wonder about the Vietnam Veterans of America. “What do you do,
talk about the old times in the war?” Actually? No. We talk about now. We do what we
can to help each other and other veterans to get the benefits we were all promised.
We support people who are trying to be certified as Veteran Service Officers who will
help veterans to be aware of benefits and to help them process applications. We hold
‘Needs Drives’ to help those in VA hospitals with clothing, toiletries, and other needs.
We have breakfasts around the area to provide a place where all veterans can come
and chat with each other.
“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” We take that seriously
and do not limit what we do to just Vietnam veterans. Our membership is limited to
those who served during Vietnam, but our service today is to all veterans, past,
present and future. Our breakfasts are open to anyone who needs to talk to someone
who understands. Our drives are to help veterans of any period. There are still WWII
and Korean vets that we honor and respect and will help. There is a generation of new
veterans now from Desert Storm, OIF and OEF, and those who have served
worldwide. All are brothers and sisters. All are given respect and understanding.
Personally I include firefighters, police, and EMTs in this group because I don’t believe
being a veteran is limited to working for the DoD. We all took the oath to put ourselves
in harm’s way to help others.
Some of the best people in our ‘family’ are the AVVA and Chapter 912 would not be as
active or worthwhile without you.
I just want to remind all of you that we are that generation who must not abandon the
others. What the next generations do will be very much based on our example. May it
always be a good example.
Please feel free to print a copy for anyone who does not get email.

Editorial By
Sam Parkins chapter 912

Thanks Sam.