9.19.2025 POW/MIA Day

All right, welcome to uh today's uh PMIA day on September 19th, 2025. My name is Justin Latini. I'm the president of VVA 207.

At this point, the honor guard is at the ready. Please uh face the flag for pledge allegiance to the flag, please.

I got one.

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.

Thank you, Stace. Uh, please uncover for the opening prayer. Reverend Andy Stinson, invite you to join me in prayer.

Lord our God, we come to remember the fallen and the forgotten. This day we gather today at this memorial of stone whose name bear the presence of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the war of Southeast Asia that we and they may bear witness with us and with you at to the prisoners of war and those missing in action in that war and in all wars. comfort all assembled here. That

those in flesh and in spirit and especially the names that are called out here today with a sign of your presence.

That each one who has borne the burden of battle. Each one who has courageously discharged the duty do his or her nation and each one who has endured risks and pain and imprisonment beyond soldiering to that of incarceration or loss. Lord, let these who bore such trials not be forsaken. Let their righteousness and our prayers in whom all prisoners and lost are cared for and whom all missing

or remembered in the compassion of your eternal memory. And for those for whom no accounting has been given, may lift their burden, give them strength, and loosen the bonds that deny them freedom.

Come amongst us and hear these names and our petitions to you as we hold up with all the warriors of old and let your freedom ring with every hope and prayer in your good time. We pray this in the name of all that is holy. Amen.

Amen.

Please be seated.

We've changed up the program just a little bit today. At this time, I'm going to have Harry Trip, who is the treasurer of VVA 207, read the um White House's proclamation.

Good morning, everyone.

Here goes. Okay. Throughout our nation's history, America's sons and daughters have heroically safeguarded our precious freedoms and defend the cause of liberty both at home and abroad. On National PM MIA recognition day, we remember the more than 500,000 prisoners of war who have endured incredible suffering and brutality under conditions of extraordinary privatation.

and tens of thousands of our patriots who are still missing in action.

Although our nation will never be able to fully repay our debt to those who have given so much on our behalf, we commemorate their bravery and recommmit to working for their long-suffering families who deserve answers and solace for their missing loved ones. Today, I join a grateful nation in honoring those PS who faithfully served through extreme hardship and unimaginable physical and emotional trauma.

Their lives and resilience reflect the best of the American spirit and their immeasurable sacrifices have ensured the blessings of freedom for future generations.

On this day, we also reaffirm our unceasing global efforts to obtain the fullest possible accounting of our MIA personnel. The search, recovery, and repatriation of MIA remains help bring closure to families bearing the burden of the unresolved fate of their loved ones. That is why in 2018 I worked to secure the historic repatriation of remains from North Korea and why we are continually working to

bring home from around the world more home from around the world. Excuse me.

My administration will never waver in fulfilling our country's obligation to leave no service member behind.

This year, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and reflect upon both the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and the 45th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, we pause to recognize the men and women who were held as PSWs or deemed MIA in these conflicts against repressive ideologies.

These service members and civilians, many from the greatest generation, deserve a special place of honor in the hearts of Americans because of their selfless devotion, unflinching courage, and unsurbassed dedication to our cherished American values. On September 19th, 2025, our nation's citizens will look to the icon iconic black and white flag as a powerful reminder of the service of America's PS and service

members who have gone MIA.

This flag, especially flying high above our military installations abroad, conveys the powerful message of American devotion to the cause of human liberty and our commitment to never forget the brave Americans lost defending that liberty. On this National PMIA recognition day, our nation takes a special moment to pay tribute to those who endured the horrors of enemy captivity and those lost in service to

our country. Our nation will continue to be resolute in our relentless pursuit of those remains of service members who have yet to return home from war and our steadfast promised to their families that their loved ones will never be forgotten.

Now therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States to hereby proclaim September 19th, 2025 as National PM MIA Recognition Day.

Together with the people of the United States, I salute all American PS who in the presence of great dangers and uncertainties, valiantly honored their duty to this great country. Let this day also serve as a reminder for our nation to strengthen our resolve to account for those who are still missing and provide their families long sought answers. I call upon federal, state, and local government officials and private

organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

In witness thereof, I have here unto set my hand this ninth day of September in the year of our Lord, 2005 25, sorry. and and and of the independence of the United States of America, the 250th, Donald J. Trump.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks Harry.

Before I begin, I'd just like to thank the uh state representatives and state senators, representatives who are here today. Uh the mayor will be coming along shortly. We're going to continue the program for MIA P day. There are about 1566 still missing in action. Since in currently in June of 2025, we returned five Air Force veterans who were killed in the 19 mid1960s in Vietnam.

Today, we know that there are over 80,000 MIAs since World War II.

Many of those will never be recovered because of deep water, whether it was ships or planes or submarines.

But we will continue to find and bring home our missing Brothers and sisters, today's ceremony, we do have the ceremonial chair.

Uh, and today we mark it across this nation for one day. And unfortunately, families every day has an empty chair at their table.

Instead of talking about numbers and I want to share a short story with you that I've been thinking about when I came to this area south coast in two in 2009 I retired and joined VVA. I wasn't sure what they were about and I was shortly put on the honor guard and one one day they told us we were going to an MIA P event in Fall River. We had this old van

and so seven or eight of us crammed into this blue old van and we piled in and we drove to Kennedy Park. It was a Friday around 6:00 in the evening. It was raining and damp.

Sun was gone. It was starting to get dark and we piled out and I looked at the guys to my left and right and they were all ready to go, had their weapons and we were ready to do a ceremony and I noticed that there was nobody out in the park with us. There was nobody standing there. But we continued. The uh honor of God commander performed his duties. We read the names. We stepped off.

And it was kind of a surreal feeling for me. I was wondering why we were doing this. And like I said, the ride over was pretty quiet. Nobody had said too many words. But when we got back in the van, it was change mood. guys started talking about shipmates and army people that they had met and served with and some had come home and some are on the wall here

and I found that just by speaking the names of those who were still missing in action even though there was only seven of us I believe at the time we remembered we remembered those who were missing and someone told me later that when a veteran's name is not spoken he's forgotten And so that's why whether we have 500 people or five people at a ceremony, it matters that we speak the names of

those who have not come home yet. And I hope that the next generation will do what we're doing here as Vietnam veterans. We need to remember those not only on this wall, but those who are still missing and have not come home.

This ceremony, we do not fire a rifle volley, nor will we play taps.

Our veterans are not home yet, and we will wait until they come home and give them the proper military honors that they deserve.

For the younger generation of veterans, it's nice to know that there are very few MIA PS.

But the for those from World War II, like I said, 80,000 was a number that kind of rocked me a little bit when I thought about it. Those are families at family gatherings. There's always that Uncle Joe or Uncle Bill who didn't come home. It's still talked about in the family, but I'm wondering about the community. I always wonder even about those behind me on the wall, who would they have been? Police officers,

firefighters, maybe my electrician who comes to my house and and works on it.

Who would these people have become in life? And so when I came into VVA as a non-combat veteran, there were 7 million of us who served during Vietnam. I made a commitment that those who served would always be remembered and those before us and after us would also be remembered.

And so our national motto of never again will one generation of veterans abandon another is true today as it was in 1979 when we were congressionally chartered.

And I hope that those veterans who are coming home will join the ranks and perform and come to ceremonies so that their fellow comrades will not be forgotten.

With that, I would just like to thank you for coming here today. And at this time, I would like to welcome veteran service officer from Fall River, Talos Ferris.

Good afternoon. It is both privilege and a solemn duty to stand before you today as we gather here at the Vietnam Memorial Wall and Veterans Memorial Bsentennial Park on this PM MIA recognition day. This wall is more than stone. It is memory, sacrifice, and love carved into our city's landscape. Each name represents a life given in service, a family forever changed and a and a reminder that freedom has never come

without a cost. But today is not only about those whose names are etched in black granite. It is also about those whose stories are unfinished, the prisoners of war who endured the unimaginable and the missing in action whose fate remains unknown. It is about the empty seats at family tables, the unanswered questions that linger in quiet hearts, and the unwavering promise we renew every year. You are not forgotten.

To the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 207, I want to thank you. Your dedication to this day, to this cause, and to this community ensures that Fall River continues to honor those who cannot stand here with us.

You remind us that remembrance is not passive. It is very much active. It is deliberate and it is necessary. As director of veteran services, I have the honor of meeting veterans and their families who carry these stories forward. What I hear most often is not just the pain of loss, but the pride of service. The knowledge that those men and women who gave their best for this country and that it is now our

responsibility to give our best in remembering them. This responsibility is not light. It calls us to do more than ceremony. It causes us to live lives worthy of their sacrifice. to teach future generations why this day matters and to keep faith with those still missing until every account is settled.

I would like to share a poem I wrote for this day as both a reflection and a promise not forgotten.

Beneath the flag that waves on high, there linger still a question why. Why some returned and others stayed? Why silence cloaked the price they paid?

Empty chairs, a mother's prayer.

The waiting hearts still burdened there.

Through years of night, through decades long, their names remain a sacred song.

Not carved in stone, yet carved in soul.

A missing piece that makes us whole. We speak their names. We bear their light and guard their memory throughout the night. So long as rivers find the sea, so long as this land dares to be free, we vow with every breath we've got, our PSWs and MIAs are forgotten not.

As we begin this ceremony, let us carry with us not just grief, but gratitude.

Gratitude for the courage of those who endured, for the families who still wait, and for the community that gathers year after year to say with one voice, "You are not forgotten. You will never be." Thank you.

This time we're going to read the names of those KAS in Massachusetts. Colonel, would you come up, please, Richard?

Bruce R. Baxter.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Bruce R.

Baxter, United States Army.

Kenneth A. Barabby, United States Marine,

Joseph P. Dunn, United States Navy, William D. Froley, United States Navy, sir.

Roger C. Gone, United States Marine.

Russell P. Bot, United States Army.

missing an defan C. Cochran, United States Army, John S. Earl, United States Navy.

Richard C. Graves, United States Navy.

Robert D. How United States Army.

John R. Hen Jr.

United States Army.

Missing action, sir.

David H. Holmes, United States Air Force.

Missing Henry E. McMahon, United States Air Force.

James A. Magnes, United States Air Force.

Arthur V. Mclofflin, United States Air Force.

William F. Mullen, United States Marines.

John F. Overlock, United States Air Force.

Henry H. Haron, Jr.

United States Navy Daniel M. Kelly, United States Army General F. Kinsman, United States Army.

John M. Lever, United States Navy, Don A. McFale, United States Army, Richard G. Morin, United States Marines.

John R. Painter Jr., United States Navy.

Edward F. Rogers, United States Marines.

James J. Sansone, United States Navy.

Missing action, sir.

William M. Smith, United States Army.

Martin J. Sullivan, United States Navy, Orin J. Walker, United States Army.

Robert J. Todd, United States Marines.

Monik Weltz, United States Marine.

Thank you, uh, Richard and, uh, Colonel for doing that. At this time, I would like to, uh, bring up, uh, Honorable Mayor Paul Kugan, please.

Um, first of all, I want to thank everybody for coming out today. Uh it's a very important day in the city of Fall River and I just do have um a couple of remarks.

Throughout our nation's history, service members have sacrificed their lives to fight for our country's freedom. Sadly, many of these heroic men and women are unaccounted for or remain missing in locations all around the world. These individuals must never be forgotten for their valor and contribution to our country's freedom.

Every third Friday in September, we take time to remember these soldiers and their families with National PM MIA Day.

This day affords us the opportunity to show our unwavering support for the families of our missing or unaccounted for soldiers and allows us time to reflect on the true price of all of our daily freedoms. The people of Fall River hold these heroes in the highest regards. Last month, our community was given the honor of being named the Purple Heart City for is indebted to the brave men and women, mainly those that

call our city home, who have risked everything to defend our nation. We remain forever grateful for their sacrifice, but we know that our gratitude will never be able to fully honor the duty or what their sacrificed asked of us. I am reminded of something shared by the late Senator John McCain when recounting his own experience as a prisoner of war. He said, "No man can always stand alone."

The reminder was true for Senator McCain amidst the terror of his imprisonment, and it remains true for all of us. While our actions cannot compare with the tremendous courage of prisoners of war and their loved ones, we must recognize the importance of our solidarity.

A soldier is never truly forgotten or lost. Their families carry them in their hearts every day. For families who are missing someone today, we stand behind you. Know that your loved ones sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Let's all take time to support the families who continue to carry with them the pain of uncertainty. As we reflect on what the loved ones of our PS and MIAs continue to bear, we must renew our

commitment to bring back those who remain missing. Their endurance should inspire us to strengthen our resolve and renew our pledge to never forget. Thank you everyone and thank you city of Fall River. And thank you Gold Star parents and families of missing loved ones.

Before we close out the ceremony, I'm going to ask for the laying of the wreath.

Thank you, John.

I want to thank everyone for coming out.

I'm going to have uh Reverend Rob will close out the ceremony with a closing prayer at this time.

Please join with me in prayer as we conclude this important ceremony on PM MIA Remembrance Day. 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 in knowing you will never leave them.

Lord, we remember and pray for all of those missing in action and for those who lost their lives in war. To their families and loved ones, give them the assurance that none are missing or lost in your sight, but held forever in the safety of your love.

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

We give you thanks for all here this day who remember the sacrifice of so many for our country, for our freedom, for liberty and justice throughout the world.

We ask your blessings on our gold star families, on those serving now, and all who have served. This we ask in your most holy name. Amen.

Again, thank you for coming today. This ends the program for 2025. Thank you very much.

Thank you guys. Mayor, thank you. Nice job.