9.18.2026 POW/MIA Recognition Day

Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to the MIA P uh 2026 ceremony. Um I do want to recognize our our mayor just came in today. He's uh going to uh pass so we can give more time to our speakers. So uh but I did want to recognize uh Mayor Paul Coogan who supports uh not only uh this beautiful park, but uh all the veterans groups here in Fall River and Bristol

County. That being said, if you'd please rise. We're going to salute this flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

You remain standing, please. This time, I would like to bring up um Reverend Andy Stinson for the opening prayer.

Join me in the spirit of prayer.

Oh holy God, who remembers all and in whom there is no death. For all those who stood a watch, those who guarded a post, those who defended the nation in hostile skies and mandexed in on angry seas and did not return from that mission. We honor and remember them today for the more than four0,000 former American PS and the more than 800 or 81,500 service members who remain missing and

unaccounted for. We give thanks as we gather today. We remember it is each of our duties to hold up these men and women whose sacrifices of separation and loss and that their families who still endure the empty chair and the unfinished story to remember and to give thanks for them all. for all the pageantry and parade of this day. Let the peace that surpasses all understanding descend upon those who

came to their nation's call and who in doing so sacrificed liberty and maybe even life as a P or MIA in as service member. And so in our ceremonies today, let the true blessings of true service to all that is good in our nation be with them all. We pray this now in the name of all that is holy. Amen.

Amen.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Again, I want to welcome you all here today. Just uh to remind everyone that the uh DPAA, which is the defense PMIA accounting agency, is responsible for returning our veterans. Over 54 countries across the globe are involved in this with over a 100 academic and nonprofit other institutions worldwide doing the research. We have over 80,890 still MIAs since World War II. And I'm

going to give you just some numbers that are going to jump off the page. 71,800 from World War II, 7,386 from Korea, 1565 from Vietnam, 12 from the Cold War, and six from Iraq or other uh conflicts.

Since 2020, in the last five years, we have returned over a thousand MIAs here to uh back home uh from this uh DPAA accounting office. And unfortunately, like everything else in Washington, things are getting uh reduced and now their budget is being reduced. So we will be uh in October we'll be back down fighting to make sure that their budget um is reinstated to re through also to so that we can remember

to bring our our our servicemen home.

Again, I wanted to make it short because I do have quite a few speakers. Um at this time though, I'd like to bring up Luis Quinton. Her brother is on the wall. Um he is a Fall River resident during Vietnam. Uh, not only do we recognize MIAs from Vietnam, but because we're here in the park, it's it's appropriate that we have the W2 Korean and um Iraqi U monuments here. So, at this time, if

Louise would come up to read her poem.

Thank you.

September 18th is P Day. Will our veterans be remembered today? Some came home, some did not. Just the thought of it breaks my heart.

Remember them today and tomorrow, too.

They gave their lives for me and you.

God bless all of them and all of you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Louise.

At this time, I'd like to bring up the veteran service officer here in Fall River, Talos Ferris.

Good morning, everybody. I'm not going to be up here long because as Justin stated, we have several speakers. Uh the importance of P MIA MIA day nationally uh is not about pump and circumstance or about ceremony. It is legitimately about remembering those that have not made it back home and those that have suffered the atrocities of being prisoners of war. Uh we have those folks among us

today uh that have understanding a deep understanding of what it means to be a prisoner of war. Uh as we also have several members of our community that have not been brought back home from overseas from conflicts they've been involved in. Uh the DPAA is essential in providing a team to go out and look for those folks who have not made it back to us yet. Um and doing anything other than

honoring those members when they do return home is the least that we can do.

Um as the veteran service officer here, I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to do that here in our community here recently with PFC Emanuel Pacico. Uh and going forward, we will also take time to remember others in our community that have suffered the atrocities of being prisoners of war or missing in action. I thank the uh Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 207 for their continued efforts at

remembering P in my a day annually here in the city of Fall River at the wall.

And I thank everyone that came here today in attendance. Thank you.

This time I would like to bring up uh Harold Trip. He's the treasurer for chapter 207 to read the um governor's uh proclamation.

I mean, I'm sorry, the president's proclamation. Could be governor. You never know.

Depend on which way you want to look at it. Good morning.

Good afternoon.

By the president of the United States, a proclamation, the glorious liberty that makes America the envy of the world has been secured and sustained by brave and selfless patriots from every war and conflict since the founding of our republic. On national PMIA recognition day, we pause to pay everlasting tribute to the defenders of freedom who are imprisoned on foreign soil and endure brutal brutal treatment

and unimaginable horrors while held in captivity and the approximately 80,000 souls still missing in action. Today and every day, the PM MIA flag is proudly displayed above the White House and alongside the stars and stripes at designated federal office buildings nationwide.

The distinctive federal sorry the distinctive black and white ban of bearing the words you are not forgotten stands as a righteous covenant that our government will never abandon those who took an oath to defend the constitution and as a visible reminder that this sacred mission is not complete until all service members are repatriated.

the rel relentless efforts of defense pmia accounting agency to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all missing warriors are critical to families searching for answers. And they teach future generations the gravity of what was given and lost on their behalf and our moral obligation to never leave an American behind.

Last month, DPAA reached a significant milestone with its 800th identification of remains from the Korean War. Every final homecoming brings an end to the agonizing decadesl long vigil of uncertainty for the bereaveved families and opportunity for a grateful nation to bestow burial honors worthy of the sacrifice made by freedom's cause. The name, story, and fate of each PWM MIA are integral to America's legacy of

valor. And my administration will spare no effort or resource to fulfill our promise to those who answered the call to serve and paid an extraordinary price on battlefields and in act in captivity around the world. On this solemn day of remembrance, the first lady joins me in recognizing me the uncommon resilience, faith, and resolve of the men and women of our armed forces who are taken

prisoner, those who remain missing, and the loved ones who wait and pray for their falling hero to come home. America is forever indebted for these incalculable sacrifices. Until the last name is accounted for, we will never forget.

Now, therefore, I, Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do proclaim September 18th, 2026 is National PMIA recognition days. In witness thereof, I have here unonto set my hand this 16th day of September in the year of our Lord 2026 and of the appendence of the United States the 251st.

Donald J. Trump.

Thank you Harry.

This time I'm going to bring up Secretary of 207 Don Albert who will read the names of the Massachusetts MIAS.

There are 59 service men from Massachusetts who are listed as missing.

The first name is Allan J. Avery, Bruce R. Baxter, Eugene P. Berserk, Kenneth A. Burby Charles L. Bafitch Warren W. BS John A. Barowski Russell P. Bot Deon C. Cochran Alan Colinmore Jr.

Joseph Cook Paul S. Zurwanka Paul N. Donato, Joseph Patrick Dunn, John S. Earl, Robert M. Elliot, Joseph E. Fitzgerald, William D. Froley, William C. Allen, William F. Corkley, Richard A. Fitz, Frederick T. Garside Arthur H. Hardy Roger C. Gum Richard C. Graves Joseph C. Greenlet Robert H. Gers Richard A. Harper Robert A. How John R. Hen Jr. Henry H. Haron Jr.

David H. Holmes, Robert A. Halt, Leonard A. Caster, Daniel M. Kelly, Everett O. Kerr, Paul C. King Jr.

Gerald F. Kinsman, Michael E. Kustigan, John M. Lever Jr., Hubert P. Loheed Henry A. McMahon James A. Magnes Kenneth D. McKenna Arthur L. Mclofflin Jr.

Carlton P. Jr.

Richard C. Morren William F. Mullen John F. Overlook John R. Painter Jr.

Edward F. Rogers James J. Sansone William M. Smith Howard D. Stevenson Michael S. Sullivan Robert J. Todd Orin J. Walker, Craig H. Waterman, David J. Wax, Mon Geese, Charles McMahon Jr., William J. McCrae, James E. Sullivan, Edward B. Tucker, and Rip and Blair C. Y.

Thank you. Before I bring up our final speaker of the day, I just want to remind people when when you come to the wall, I ask people if they don't know a name on the wall is to reach out and touch the name on the wall and say that name out loud. As long as we repeat someone's name, they will always be remembered. And for us, those names that were read today here in Massachusetts,

they will always be remembered. And finally, Mike Cunningham is our guest speaker today. He's a 1967 1970 army infantry. He's a Vietnam combat vet 1968-69 in country. Um he has also returned to Vietnam four times looking for uh our MIA uh remains. His 30 ser 30 years of service as a US customs inspector with the drug and anti-terrorism team. He's an author of five books. One is uh Walking Point.

And uh I could go on about Mike. He's uh an amazing uh speaker and amazing man and I'd just like to bring him up and he can share his story today. Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Uh we are gathered here today at this wall showing all the names of the dead from the Vietnam War.

over 58,000 names. Each name has their own story, their own legacy. Each name connects us to families that are still remembering, still suffering from their loss. Today, I will remember a few of these names. Individuals that I have served with so many years ago.

All of them brave beyond all expectations.

Courage derived not from training but from love of one one love of each other.

A love forged in fire on the battlefield in the jungles of Vietnam.

I will always remember Donald Green.

Donald was a 20-year-old from Savin Hill in the Dorchester section of Boston. He was assigned to the same infantry company as me in Vietnam. On July 29th, 1968, while patrolling the jungle shrouded mountains along the Le Oceanian border west of Daang, our company ran into a North Vietnamese ambush. A well-designed ambush, the enemy exploded a 500 lb bomb in our midst.

Donald along with many others were was buried alive. We dug many out, but we were too late for three, including Donald. When I dug Donald out from the red clay crater, his body was lifeless.

Not a scratch on his body, but he was dead, suffocated under a pile of Vietnamese dirt.

Then there is Phil Hernandez and Steve Pettis on on May 14th, 1969. They both died while attempted to come to the rescue of Alpha Company, one of our sister companies. Alpha Company was pinned down for two days and was running low on ammo. Captain Dunin, Alpha Company's commanding officer officer, was calling out for assistance. His men were falling one at a time. Time was running out.

Phil and Steve unhesitatingly responded to their pleas for help. In the ensuing battle, Steve, Phil, and many others were killed. Countless were wounded.

Finally, after calling an air strikes on their own exact position, the the remnants of Alpha Ventali Company broke out of the entrapment and made their way back to friendly lines. Many received medals for acts of extreme bravery.

Captain Dunigan was awarded the Medal of Medal of Honor, our country's highest award for heroism.

Phil's body was returned to his family in Guadalupe, California.

here at the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. Phil's tour of duty would have would have been completed in just 10 more days. He never made it. When I visited Phil's mother and sister in California, we sat around their kitchen table and talked and cried. Suddenly, Phil's mother stood up and walked out of the room. Soon, she returned holding something in in her hand. It was Phil's wallet, never opened since the army

returned it to the Hernandez family.

Phil's mother insisted I look through Phil's wallet. The first thing I saw was Phil's short timer calendar. It was all blacked out except for the last two weeks of May. These two weeks will remain relevated to eternity.

Steve's body was returned to his family in Grand Haven, Vermont. He too was a short-timer, but remained out in the field to be with the guys. The day he died, he continued firing away his M60 machine gun, although being wounded several times. Finally, he succumbed to his wounds. Steve was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic, selfless act. When my son and I visited Steve's family in

Vermont years later, many members of the family didn't want to see me. The pain and memories of Steve was still was still too intense. The family the family farm Steve was to take over upon his return from Vietnam lay dormant and always would according to Steve's brother.

I have visited both Phil and Steve's family several times. Although they were comforted to hear how their son brother died fighting to save others, their grief was inconsolable.

Jerry Oxia also died on July 29th, 1968, but we never found his body. To this day, he is listed as MIA, missing in action. I have returned to Vietnam four times in the ensuing years in an attempt to locate his remains. Although we have had negative results, we will return to Vietnam to continue our search. We will never give up. I have located Jerry's wife and daughter after years of

searching and keep them ab breast of our activities. They are so pleased that Jerry remains in our thoughts. They too think of Jerry on a daily basis and pray every day Jerry's remains will be returned to Dixie, West Virginia, his boyhood home.

When Jerry shipped out to Vietnam, he left behind a two-year-old son and a pregnant wife. In the ensuing years, Jerry's son has died of cancer. Now there is only his wife and a daughter he never saw waiting for his return.

The loss of Jerry Oxia hit all of us in Charlie Company especially hard. Why?

Because we never because you never leave behind a fallen soldier. You always recover the body. But in Jerry's case, we had no choice. We searched for his body all night and into the following morning. All the while in contact with the enemy. Finally, a battalion commander ordered us ordered us to get off the hill. The enemy was surrounding us and planning planning an attack to wipe us out.

In the process of getting off the hill, we killed three enemy soldiers and finally broke free. But we left Jerry behind. Captain Martin, a a company commander, was devastated. Losing troops on the battlefield was the price of war, but leaving troops behind was a different story. I don't think Captain Martin ever recovered from the trauma of this event. These are only four individuals I decided to mention. There

are many, many more. All I ask is today and every day, take a little bit of time out of your hectic schedule and think of these guys and girls on this wall and say a little prayer for them. They all died too young, leaving behind unfulfilled dreams, promises, and aspirations.

That's the least we can do. Thank you.

Sure.

I just got permission to share this. Um when if when Mike lectures, he goes into looking for um Sergeant Oxy and the uh North Vietnamese had put a bomb up on the hill. So when the helicopter came down, North Vietnamese triggered the bomb. Well, during one of Mike's travels to Vietnam, he actually met the North Vietnamese soldier who triggered the bomb. And they actually embraced

as as I've been told for the others who go to Vietnam, when they look at the North Vietnamese, they the North Vietnamese said, "We killed a lot of your friends and you killed a lot of ours and it's time that we find each others." So, the North Vietnamese will turn over American artifacts to us. And I've always asked the Vietnam veterans, if you brought something home from the war, it may seem very insignificant to

you, but if you could return it to DPA or your local VFW, American Legion, they will forward it down to DPA, whether it's a a journal that you took off or soldier or something, and that will be returned to the North Vietnamese so that they can find their loved ones. And that's the only way we're able to bring our brothers home is by sharing that information. and how powerful that is

when you get to meet guys like Mike and other people who have gone to Vietnam and and actually reached across the table and have exchanged items that they've picked up and able to find their their loved ones.

I thank you for coming here. Uh I had another speech in the opening that talked about 207. We started at Kennedy Park. I remember when I came down here to Fall River in '09, we were holding our ceremony at 6:00 at night. There'd be six or seven of us. Then we moved to the city hall and when this monument was completed in 2022, we decided that what an appropriate place for MIAP

because it encompasses all the wars, the 80,000 still missing are represented on these monuments here in this park. And so I thank you today for coming. At this time, please stand. We're going to have a closing prayer by Reverend Rob followed by taps.

Please join with me in prayer on this PM MIA Remembrance Day and this sacred space in our city. We pray almighty God, author of peace, whose boundless love reaches beyond our vision and who holds all your children and tender compassion and concern.

We pray for those men and women who have been taken captive in war. Give them the courage to persevere in the knowledge that they have not been forgotten.

Give each missing soldier courage and strength to endure.

Give them peace and knowing you will never leave them. Lord, we remember and pray for all of those missing in action.

We pray for the day when peace will prevail. so that no more loved ones will ever need to be again PSWs or listed as missing in action.

We give you thanks for all here this day and who remember the sacrifices of so many for our country, our freedom, for liberty and justice throughout the world. We ask your blessings on those serving now, on all who have served as well as all of us. And this we ask in your most holy name. Amen.

Again,

thank you for coming. Mike will be available. He does have some books with him if you're interested. walking point, I believe, but he will be available after the ceremony is complete. Again, thank you for coming and we'll see you next year.