POW/MIA News
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American Legion Post 13 POW MIA News
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES Newsletter: March 19, 2010
Major Russell C. Goodman, USAF, Utah, KIA/BNR 2/20/67, NVN, RR 12/15/93, ID 9/14/09 VIETNAM’S DEFENSE MINISTER VISITED THE U.S. Minister of National Defense General Phung Quang Thanh was in Washington, DC, in mid-December for talks with Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, the President’s National Security Adviser General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret) and others. En route to DC, he met with ADM Robert Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). The League provided input for consideration, expecting the Minister to strongly reinforce his government’s March 2009 proposal to the League to expand the pace and scope of POW/MIA operations. As part of that effort, the Minister announced that restrictions had been lifted in some areas previously closed to US officials and provided specific information on 13 cases in such areas. This important visit was part of the slowly-expanding, bilateral military-to-military relationship that began with the exchange of Defense Attachés several years ago, a step strongly supported by the League. In addition to operational military cooperation on broader concerns such as counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and emergency disaster relief, the benefits to the accounting mission are many, including recent participation of the USNS Heezen in underwater surveys along Vietnam’s coastline. CONGRESSIONAL MANDATE OFFERS OPPORTUNITY & PROMPTS CONCERN: Accounting operations around the world have continued to improve in quality; however, there is urgent need for increased funding and personnel to meet requirements mandated by the Defense Authorization Act for FY2010. Although unfunded, Congress mandated that JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) identify at least 200 remains per year by 2015. That is a significant increase in the annual ID rate, and establishing such a quota, if not implemented with integrity, could result in compromising the scientific process. Without significant increases in personnel and funding, it could mean diverting attention and priority to easier to identify, large-crew WWII aircraft crash sites in order to reach that number. It could also mean reducing investigations, surveys and excavations that are Vietnam War-related, the initial reason for JPAC’s formation, as for predecessor organizations, Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) and Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC). Funding and personnel must be increased to meet Vietnam’s proposed expansion of the accounting effort and to achieve the Congressionally-established goals. This must be accomplished without sacrificing scientific integrity or the priority and principles the League has fought for decades to establish, supported by our nation’s established, responsible Veterans organizations. We have been assured by DPMO that there will be no degradation of SEA operations and that they will respond positively to Vietnam’s proposals; however, this situation warrants very close attention. The League is calling on family members, veterans and all concerned Americans to help monitor events and be prepared to act when necessary by sending or faxing letters, making calls and emailing if any reduction or degradation occurs. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ISSUE’S FUTURE: In December, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs Mr. Robert Newberry hosted a nearly community-wide conference of US officials to focus collective attention on the way ahead for the POW/MIA accounting mission. The intended focus was to develop a concept of expansion to meet mandates established by Congress (noted above) that had recently been signed into law. Based upon input from these discussions, as well as internal DPMO considerations, DASD Newberry initiated a formal proposal that was signed by Under Secretary of Defense Peter Verga and distributed for comment throughout DoD. While appreciating the energy and initiative to quickly advance the accounting effort, DASD Newberry’s proposal surprisingly suggested a more active, operational DPMO role, particularly on WWII cases in Europe, and construction of another identification laboratory on the US mainland. (The League has long been on record in support of an additional lab, so long as it is under JPAC/CIL’s established scientific excellence in the recovery and identification processes.) The new JPAC headquarters, now scheduled to begin construction in March 2011, will greatly expand JPAC’s identification capacity; however, completion is not expected until 2013, with move-in planned for early in 2014. In the interim, recognizing the need for expanding its ID capacity, JPAC renovated and moved into a laboratory on Pearl Harbor Naval Base, adjacent to Hickam AFB. This renovated two-story building also provided space for starting the JPAC Forensic Science Academy, a vehicle for training and recruiting scientific personnel and, hopefully in the future, training foreign personnel to better equip them for unilateral excavations. This relatively new laboratory is being used solely for identification of Korean War remains unilaterally turned over by North Korea in 2005, known as K208. The end-result of the Newberry proposal won’t be publicly known for some time, but it is hoped that all organizations and agencies involved in the issue will pull together as a strengthened Defense Department team, rather than continuing the fragmented divisiveness that has existed far too long. DASD NEWBERRY VISITS LAOS & CAMBODIA: Mr. Robert Newberry is in Laos for talks with counterpart officials before he goes on to Cambodia in a few days. He is expected to thank the Lao for the increased flexibility and initiatives implemented by their government in recent years and to discuss the Congressional mandate’s potential impact on accounting efforts. Transportation problems have arisen due to requirements for aircraft certification. Thankfully, US Ambassador to Laos Ravic Huso, Defense Attaché LTC Jamie McAden, USA, and JPAC Detachment 3 Commander LTC Chris Barnwell, USA, have been working actively with the Lao to find solutions and avoid detrimental impact on field operations. Above all, the safety of Lao and American personnel must be assured. This visit to Southeast Asia will conclude with discussions in Phnom Penh where the Cambodian Government’s record of cooperation continues to be unmatched. Controversial as has been Prime Minister Hun Sen, he has been personally involved and supportive since 1984, and the Cambodian POW/MIA Committee functions at the highest level of his government, led by General Pol Saroeun, Army Chief of Staff, and Mr. Sieng Lapresse, Secretary of State for Interior, Department of Interior. Clearly, additional requests by Cambodia for Vietnam’s archival records on order of battle along their shared border would be very helpful. However, repeated requests by Cambodian officials have not yet brought necessary unilateral actions by the Government of Vietnam. JPAC LEADERSHIP CHANGE: PACOM Commander ADM Robert Willard, USN, presided at the January 29th Change of Command from retiring JPAC Commander RADM Donna Crisp, to MG Stephen Tom, USAR. The Change of Command was held on Heroes Green at JPAC Headquarters. League Executive Director Ann Mills-Griffiths attended and met over lunch with General Tom and Admiral Crisp. While in Hawaii, she also had discussions with ADM Willard, PACOM Foreign Policy Adviser Daniel Piccuta, MG Tom and with several JPAC officials, including Deputy to the Commander Johnie Webb, Director of the JPAC Forensic Science Academy Dr. Bob Mann, Underwater Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Eric Emery, Policy (J5) Director Jennifer Nasarenko and Intelligence (J2) Director Rob Richeson. Executive Director Comment: MG Tom is an experienced US Army Reserve officer, recalled to active duty in 2006 to serve as the PACOM Chief of Staff, a position that will serve him well as JPAC Commander, already knowing many foreign officials in countries involved in the POW/MIA accounting mission. In addition, he is a respected attorney, practicing for years in Honolulu, thus has broad experience in working with the civilian and military communities. Due to this background, he was personally selected by PACOM Commander Admiral Willard after expressing interest in what he termed his “dream job” as JPAC Commander. From where I sit, MG Tom is the right guy at the right time in the job as JPAC Commander, sufficiently mature and experienced to work with the energetic, experienced DASD Bob Newberry to build, at long last, the unified, effective DoD team needed to move this issue into the future. If not these two, who? And if not now, when? Time truly IS running out on the families, not only from WWII, Korean War and Cold War, but from the Vietnam War. TRAVELS OF NEW JPAC COMMANDER: MG Stephen Tom, USAR, held POW/MIA consultations in Vientiane, Laos, February 23rd, his first such talks since assuming command on January 29th. He was supported by JPAC Headquarters, Detachment 3, DIA’s Stony Beach Lao specialist and DPMO staff. The issue’s importance was reinforced by the participation of US Ambassador to Laos Ravic Huso and other US Embassy officials. In discussions with Lao counterparts, MG Tm discussed recent Joint Field Activities (JFAs), plans for upcoming operations, and focused on sorting out issues that arise and, if left unattended, could seriously impede POW/MIA cooperation. MG Tom then visited Cambodia where he called on US Ambassador Carol Rodley, Commander in Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army General Pol Saroeun (also Chairman of Cambodia’s POW/MIA Committee) and other Cambodian leaders. While it was hoped that he would end his SEA tour with a visit to Vietnam, orientation with Detachment 2 and a visit to ongoing field operations, General Tom’s schedule allowed only a very short stop in Hanoi to meet his counterpart Ambassador Nguyen Van Dao prior to April 27th technical talks and call on US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak. . MG Tom also just completed a visit to South Korea and its new JPAC-modeled facility, MAKRI. It was constructed with the advice and counsel of Assistant to the JPAC Commander Johnie Webb who has worked many years with the South Koreans, including during his earlier tour as CIL Commander. JPAC OPERATIONS: The 112th Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Laos, begun on January 13th ended February 16th and returned to Hawaii. One Investigation Team (IT) and two Recovery Teams (RTs) conducted operations in Xepone and Savannakhet Provinces. The 113th JFA in Laos began on March 4th with the arrival of four Recovery Teams (RTs). All will be operating in Xiengkhoang Province, excavating four separate incident sites. Field operations in Cambodia, begun on January 14th, wrapped up on February 22nd. The 43rd JFA included one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT) and one RT with missions in three separate locations. A large JPAC Advance Work Team (AWT) just deployed to Vietnam in preparation for the 98th JFA, working before arrival of the main contingent to conduct base camp and site preparation. JPAC field teams also recently concluded operations in South Korea that were begun on January 9th. Two RTs and one Investigation Team (IT) were simultaneously Recent visitors to JPAC and its Central Identification Laboratory included the National Commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion, as well as the Presidents of the Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. Also importantly, an Army War College group representing 50 countries visited JPAC, received a briefing from the laboratory staff and toured a mock recovery site. These outreach opportunities serve an important role in educating government officials worldwide on the principles and processes involved in the accounting effort. 41ST ANNUAL MEETING JULY 21-24, 2010: This year’s annual meeting must take off from the high point where we ended last year, and it is up to us to make it special. YOU can help by being there. Governmental transitions have now taken place, as have changes within the POW/MIA Community, and there is much to discuss and decide in terms of the League’s and the issue’s future. We don’t yet know who the Keynote Speaker will be at the Opening Session on Thursday, July 22nd, 9:00 a.m.; however, there will be two very full days of presentations by senior US and League officials, briefings by analytic personnel, field operators, scientists and guest presenters on the complete range of issue-related policy and operational matters. A three-hour Question & Answer session with US officials will be held on Saturday morning, July 25th, followed by the bylaw-required League Business Session. There will also be Special Events. The 41st Annual Dinner & Candlelight Ceremony will be on Thursday, July 22nd, an event that is always inspirational; cost this year is $55 per person. On Friday night, we have requested a concert at historic Ft. Myer. The Army Chorus is the only military musical group ever to receive the League Award for its many contributions to annual meetings over the years. BINGO Night will conclude all activities on Saturday night, July 24th. Reservations can now be made at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel. Call 1-800-HILTONS (800-445-8667), noting affiliation with the League’s 41st Annual Meeting, or go to www.hilton.com, and use Group Code “POW” to get the special rate of $149 (plus taxes) per room night, single/double. Deadline to secure the special rate is June 22nd, but the block of rooms is limited, so early reservations are encouraged to ensure desired accommodations are available. Registration: The form to register for the 41st Annual Meeting is on page seven (7) of this newsletter, with the Program Ad Rates printed on the reverse, page eight (8). Simply complete and return the form to the League office with your check for the registration fee ($50 per League member; $60 for non-League attendees) and $55 per person payment for the special 41st Annual Dinner and Candlelight Ceremony. This form is also available from the League’s web site: www.pow-miafamilies.org. Transportation: As stipulated by Congress, the Secretary of Defense is expected to again authorize transportation (COIN Assist) for two family members representing each Vietnam War missing and unaccounted for US serviceman and civilian to attend the annual meeting during which official briefings will be given. Service Casualty Offices (SCOs) will be sending information to some (not all) family members about the annual meeting and forms to request COIN Assist transportation, file reviews, attendance at Service-hosted luncheons, and transportation to the Friday evening concert, when confirmed. In authorizing COIN Assist, Congressional intent was to ensure that each unaccounted for American would be represented at the League’s annual meetings. It is up to all involved to spread the word. All family members are eligible to attend League annual meetings at which official briefings will be given, though some League events are open only to those registered for the full League annual meeting. If you have questions, call the League office, 703-465-7432. Silent Auction: There will again be a Silent Auction, smaller in scope and open limited hours. Sorely as are needed the funds generated by this highly successful Program Ad Rates: Each year, the League publishes a beautiful program that includes individual ads honoring missing US personnel, organizational ads with best URGENT: ACT NOW: The DPMO-contracted report on JPAC/CIL, published by the Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA), is available on DPMO’s website, www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ida_study_11-18-09.pdf. It is a time-consuming read and flawed in some instances by failure to provide supporting docu-mentation for assessments and/or recommendations; however, there is crucial information that applies to all POW/MIA and KIA/BNR family members from all past wars and conflicts. It deals with the need for and use of Family Reference Samples (FRS). When JPAC/CIL requires a Family Reference Sample (FRS) to identify remains in the lab or to prepare for recoveries, a request is submitted to the appropriate Service Casualty Office (SCO). Success in tracking down the family members is often constrained by lack of manpower, especially in today’s environment, i.e. wartime Very importantly, if all FRS for every remaining SEA and Korean War case were available, JPAC/CIL estimates they would be able to identify every set of Korean War remains current in the lab. That means an estimated 428 individuals now unaccounted for from the Korean War could be identified if all Vietnam War and Korean War families simply provided the required DNA sample! For the Vietnam War, a thorough scrub of all remains recovered by any means that are now in the lab would have to be made to determine the potential impact of having all FRS in hand, but, according to the IDA Report, JPAC/CIL gave general estimates in March 2009 “that approximately 50 individuals, could be resolvable if all FRS were available.” PLEASE PASS THE WORD; ASK EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO PUBLISH THIS APPEAL. Ask your church, members of The Legion, VFW, DAV, JWV, VVA, AMVETS and any civic organization that can reach people. Ask your local papers, radio and TV stations to help. COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC): The League (a 501 [c] 3) nonprofit organization) again met the stringent criteria for eligibility in the 2009 campaign and has applied for the 2010 campaign that begins next October. Our official number is the same, CFC #10218, assigned by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Washington, DC. The League is the ONLY nonprofit organization representing American POW/MIAs, KIA/BNRs and their families eligible for donations through CFC & United Way. Despite the reality of many competing charities and much need, especially in a time of war, the League is proud of our eligibility, due to the tough requirements that must be met and is in urgent need of tax-deductible donations, FEIN #23-7071242. THE LEAGUE OFFICE HAS MOVED: The move has been made, saving significantly on monthly expenses. Our new office address is National League of POW/MIA Families, 5673 Columbia Pike, Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22041. The phone and fax numbers are the same. STATUS OF THE LEAGUE: Funds received since the financial appeal was distributed at this time last year allowed the League to continue, but the situation is still very challenging. Moving to the new office is saving over $1,600 a month, a step that took a great deal of effort, but was necessary and worthwhile. (The League thanks LtCol Danny Davis, USAF, long-time supporter and friend, for organizing a group of volunteers, Air Force military and civilian guys, plus Jim and Matt Cain and Stephen Mills for their generosity and hard work.) Thanks to the generosity of several members – family and associate – some former US officials and our League Advisors, funds were sufficient to catch up on expenses for the calendar year 2009. Sadly, however, less than 100 League members and friends took specific action and responded to the request for pledges. The contributions received thus far have been due to realization that the League’s key role is needed to ensure that priority on the accounting effort continues. Members and supporters are urged to continue being imaginative in trying to raise funds and to contribute to the extent possible to sustain League efforts. CONTRIBUTE BY SEARCHING & SHOPPPING ON THE INTERNET: Here are three ways you can help the League financially when using the internet, especially for internet shopping. iGive.com is an internet search engine and shopping mall that contributes a portion of its sales and advertising dollars to non-profits like ours. Just register as a new user and designate the League for contributions, and for each search you make, the League will receive one penny. Using www.iGive.com, you can make online purchases and designate the League to receive a variable percentage of the sale, up to 20%. GoodSearch.com, powered by Yahoo, is another internet search engine that shares revenue with non-profits, in this case 50%, split among user-designated organizations. Just go to the website www.GoodSearch.com, and choose the League as your favorite cause. GoodSearch expanded to include GoodShop, an online shopping mall of merchants dedicated to helping fund worthy causes. If designated, each purchase made using Please use iGive.com or GoodSearch.com every time you search for information on the internet. Use iGive.com or GoodShop.com to make internet purchases. Together we can make a big difference. THE RIDE HOME – ANDERSONVILLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (NHS): Rolling Thunder`s 2010 Ride Home is a multi-day annual activity held in cooperation with National Park Service`s Andersonville National Historic Site (NHS) and Georgia’s Southwestern State University to recognize and honor the nation`s Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA). The three-day Ride Home 2010 will once again be held in conjunction with National POW/MIA Recognition Day during the 3rd weekend of September. Ceremonies and services, a dinner, a motorcycle ride (invited guests are provided bus transportation!) and other tributes are scheduled. This year, there will be a greater number of MIA families to represent their missing loved ones, and the League wants to be sure you know what is planned. Along with ceremonies and other functions for guests, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and the Some Gave All Moving Tribute will be in place at the National Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville from September 17-26. Please visit www.theridehome.com for all the details. Many of you who live in the southeastern U.S. will receive invitations by mail. The League forwarded these on behalf of The Ride Home organizers. If you do not receive one but would like to consider attending, please contact League Board member Pam Cain at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703-798-8550. ILLINOIS MILITARY WOMEN VETERANS HONOR POW/MIAs: The Illinois Military Women of The American Legion would like to invite former POW to join them for their Third Annual POW/MIA Parade and Ceremony, June 12, 2010, in Flora, IL. The American Legion will provide accommodations for Friday evening, a $50 gift card, and a catered meal on Saturday the 12th for all invited guests. The Parade, Ceremony and Saturday meal are free and open to the public. For more information visit their website: www.womenveterans.zoomshare.com, or contact Ruthie J. Welty, at 618-843-1476
INSIDE FRONT COVER OR INSIDE BACK COVER - $1,000* Deadline: June 15, 2010 *Donors at this level receive League Membership, Newsletters, Updates & registration for the 41st Annual Meeting.
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To see more of these news letters you can visit their site http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/newsletters.html
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