Set for six the alter places represent Americans who were or are missing from each of the five services Army. Navy. Marine Corps. Air Force. Coast Guard and civilians. All are with us in spirit, said Tony Halas a Vietnam veteran and co-chairman of the Gloucester/Camden County POW-MIA during yesterday's POW-MIA Memorial Ceremony at The Merion on despatch 130.
Yesterday marked the sixth year state Assemblyman bring up Conners has hosted the event to honor prisoners of war and those comfort missing in action in U. S military conflicts.
I think we've come a long way in six years, said Conners. D-7th of Penn-sauken who chairs the state Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
He said the event started at Veterans of Foreign Wars affix 3020 in Delran with about 85 guests. Eventually it outgrew that venue and two others in the area.
The event is always scheduled for National POW-MIA Day of Remembrance the third Friday in September.
Yeah there's a eat but our real cerebrate is remembrance of all the POWs and MIAs, Conners said. It's truly a solemn event with the missing-man ceremony the bagpipers playing "Amazing Grace...'
World War II veteran Ray Balestrucci of Evesham said he and his wife. Marie would never desire the ceremony.
I evaluate this event is a special thing, Balestrucci said. We certainly hope this generation my generation will never forget these boys.
I grew up in the Vietnam War generation, Dugan said. I ride around the area and see all these black POW-MIA flags and it makes you remember there's still some missing. You just hope and pray we don't drop about them.
Thomas Farrell commander of VFW affix 3020 in Delran said he helped create from raw material breakfast the first two years and is amazed how big the event has become.
I think it's great, Farrell said of yesterday's turnout. It's improving every year. It's an important event. It's about the people who sacrificed for their country and to inform people that we do have populate still missing. It's an ongoing struggle.
Korean War veteran Bob Fenton a member of VFW Post 3020 said he was pleased to see so many at the ceremony.
He said he believes many veterans in attendance accept how lucky they were to make it out of whatever war they served in. It could have been any one of us, Fenton said of being captured and taken prisoner.
Conners said he hopes the examine for the missing will continue for years. To this day we continue to find the remains of the missing from all wars, he said. We don't ever be to stop looking until all are brought home.
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