The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 3916 hosted its first ever Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day and Candle Light Ceremony in Market Square Friday night.
At 8 p.m. the event began with the presentation of the American Flag and Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by a speech from State Representative Dustin Roberts.
Roberts said that the event meant a lot to him because he has lost friends in our current war and family members in past wars.
“When we light these candles, be proud” said Roberts after giving gratitude for the service men and women. He said that they gave it all for him to even be standing where he is today.
Mayor Jerry Tomlinson gave a speech at the event as well. Tomlinson said it had been an honor to serve in the military and honor to serve in his community now.
He told the crowd to be reverent of the meaning of the night but also said “every day I want us to remember our troops.”
The VFW Commander James Patterson also spoke. He said that while there are days to remember our veterans and days to remember our troops, this was a special day to remember those whose families have no closure.
He said that it touches him when the news reports that even the remains of an MIA has been found because their family can finally have closure.
After words from Patterson, candles were lit and the names of POW and MIA from Bryan County were called.
Accountius said that he did not know if that was all of the Bryan County POW/MIA but that is all they could find. It had taken the post more than a week to find all of the names that were called at the ceremony.
The event lasted approximately 30 minutes and honored all those that Bryan County has lost in war.
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