August 22, 2003

Stu's Notes:
September 19, 2003 we in Oroville will have a ceremony downtown, probably in front of the Municipal Auditorium to honor our P.O.W. and M.1.A.'s. So many are still missing, 88,000 in our countries past. Another 140,000 Americans since WWI have endured the hardships of captivity. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten. Many were treated so terrible, we wonder how they prevailed. But they did. Howard Gregg, a Korean War Veteran said " There are 8,100 M.1.A. in Korea, many buried in North Korea which we have no access." Howard has a radio show on our local station about the Veterans every Thursday from 7 to 8PM. He is also a member of our Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee. September 19th is a special day to honor our P.O.W. and M.I.A.'s. I have not determined how many from Oroville are listed as M.I.A. but I know we have some on our list. I have heard of this day in the past but I, like most, let it slip by kind of Forgotten. Some communities, I've read, put on quite elaborate ceremonies. This will probably be the first public one in Oroville and hopefully it will grow. Joan Lee Van Campen asked me if I would help her do this. She lost her brother, Pvt. 1st Class Thomas Van Campen, in Vietnam. He was killed in action and missing. How could I say no? So the Ceremony will happen. How big it is depends on the people of Oroville. Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee will be there. We hope many other groups will get involved.

National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day, 1984.
By the President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan. "We accept and remember our obligation to these missing servicemen. Until the P.OW./M.I.A. issue is resolved, it will remain a matter of the highest national priority. On July 20, 1984, the P.O.W./M.I.A. Flag will fly over the White House, the Departments of State and Defense, and the Veterans' Administration as a symbol of our unswerving commitment to achieve the fullest possible accounting for the servicemen and civilians. By Senate Joint Resolution 171, the Congress has designated July 20, 1984, as "National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day." On this day, I firmly believe that we should recognize the special debt all Americans owe to our fellow citizens who gave up their freedom in the service of our country and to the families who have undergone a great travail. NOW, THEREFORE, 1, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, July 20, 1984, as National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day. I call on all Americans to join in honoring all former American prisoners of war, those still missing, and their families who endured the uncommon sacrifices on behalf of this country. I also call upon State and local officials and private organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS W'HEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two hundred and eighth." Signed Ronald Reagan.

2003 NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
September 19, 2003, will be proclaimed by President George W. Bush as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Over the past several years, all or most of the 50 states have proclaimed POW/MIA Recognition Day in conjunction with the national effort.
I am not sure why the date changed, but looking at the September 2002 calendar the date was September 20, which was a Friday. It may now be the third Friday in September- This information is from The National League of Families of American Prisoners and missing in southeast Asia.

Sgt. Deborah Shaner, Friday, August 15th, somewhere in Iraq.
Well looks like we could be here in Iraq if not Kuwait until the end of the year. Good news is it is supposed to get cooler in September. It will only get to 100 degrees. l I am stil lworking with the lraqi nalionals. They are a good bunch of guys. We go back and forth between working 12 hour nights and days. We will be back on the road next month. Also, good news is our convoys seem to not be getting attacked. We sill take a few hits every couple nights here on post though. Send me a horse and lots of ICE!!!. Take care, Debbie.