POW / MIA Page
In my cube at work I have a POW/MIA flag up. One day a co-op came in, about 21 years old, and she asked me "Pow me-uh? What's Pow Me-uh?" Don't these kids learn any history? She was only 10 years younger than me. Until September 11, 2001, none of today's Gen-Xers on had any clue as to the sacrifices necessary for freedom. It's a "do what you want for you" attitude that we are only able to afford due to the sacrifices of our Grandparents...or further back. Patriotism flared briefly for a few months, only time will tell if it lasts.
Military inquiries were way up (heavily reported)...but actual recruitment only increased about 1% (lightly reported). Likewise, blood donations were up almost exactly 50% in the weeks after September 11 (from the news you would have thought it was up 500%, but actual figures were around 250,000 units....not much in a population of 300 million).....but during the Christmas/New Years holiday, America was back on low blood alert because no one was going back to donate a second time. It was the season of giving...and they were too busy. Besides, the new Britney Spears album was out! Hoo-ray!
The one and only POW/MIA from my hometown, Homewood, IL: Park Bunker The only POW/MIA who was lost the day I was born, Dec 5, 1967: Don Russell of Maine. Remains returned in the mid-90's. Both were lost in Loas. Park Bunker on a clandestine "Air America" type program, and Russell Donald in events unknown to me.
POW Information Links:
• POW Network: http://www.pownetwork.org
• POW Locator Search Engine: http://www.scopesys.com/powmia/powsearch.html
Uses info from POW network. Searches POW files by date lost, date reported, state, and more. Dossiers on
many POW's.
Bracelets
Special Order means you can special order a certain person's name/information. Prices are
mostly the same.
| Contact | Braclet Info | Special Order |
Other Items |
| Heart of Illinois | See Link: http://www.pownetwork.org/hoi.htm All types, including black KIA for when MIA's return home. They also sell many POW/MIA items like patches, hats, shirts, stickers, license plate covers, etc. |
Yes | Many--see link. |
| VVA National | See Link:http://www.veteranscollectibles.com/noforgot.htm
Money helps Vietnam Veterans of America organizations. Special orders Can inscribe up to 3 lines instead of the standard 2. They also have plaques with rubbings from the wall and grave markers. More collectables (not necessarily Vietnam related) at their top level: http://www.veteranscollectibles.com/ |
Yes | Yes |
Stenmarco Engraving Fax: 1-800-235-6368 |
Donates to families of
POW-MIAs. Just give name, they will look up the person's data and
make the bracelet. Apparently don't do black (KIA)
Red Aluminum:
$5.00
Clear Aluminum: $6.00
Sizes |
Yes | No |
| Liz Flick Ohio Chapter MIA/POW P.O. Box 14853 Columbus, OH 43214 (614) 451-2405 |
Donates money to families of
POW-MIA (official National League of Families Vendor)
Brushed stainless steel with deep
acid-etched letters, initially filled with black paint. All names
distributed with family permission. $5.50 each includes shipping
& handling. |
No | Unknown |