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Pentagon honors MIAs and POWs

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 2:06 PM

By Courtney Kube, NBC News Pentagon Producer

The Pentagon on Friday paid tribute to those members of the U.S. military who are classified as Missing in Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (POW).

About 200 people watched as Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Marine Gen. Peter Pace escorted Patricia Scharf, widow of Col. Charles Scharf, onto the Parade Field outside the Pentagon. 

Scharf's husband was an Air Force pilot who went missing-in-action during the Vietnam War and whose remains were recently identified by taking DNA from love letters he sent her more than 40 years ago.

Gates spoke first, paying tribute to the four U.S. Army soldiers who are currently missing in Iraq. "They will never be forgotten or left behind," he said, adding that they are "the latest edition to the ranks of those we honor today."  He only spoke for about five minutes, thanking the families and then introducing Pace, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pace also spoke briefly, saying of the prisoners of war that "few have been called to sacrifice the way our POWs have been." 

Then Scharf walked to the podium and described how her husband's remains were only recently identified by taking DNA off of the love letters he sent her.  

Among those in the crowd were Keith and Carolyn Maupin, parents of missing soldier Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin. 

Also attending from the Pentagon were Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Conway.

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Comments

My only comment is: IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Mulik, Goodyear, Az. (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 4:12 PM)

Americans should be ashamed of the treatment of their M.I.A.S.AND THE POWS STILL IN  VIETNAM AND PERHAPS ALIVE, tHEY SHOULD BE DOING A CONSTANT SEARCH FOR THEM, AS WELL AS THE SOLDIERS IN IRAQ.i AM APPALLED AT THE CONDITION OF SOME OF YOUR BRAVE SOLDIERS THAT I SEE ON YOUR STREETS THAT ARE THE CASUALITIES OF VIETNAM. WHY DID NOONE HELP THEM?

JUDY PHILP (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 4:33 PM)

My brother-in-law, Dean "Eddie" Clinton will have been an MIA for 40 years on June 11, 2007. He was just a farm boy, who wanted to fly helicopters and serve his country. His mom and dad died waiting to know his fate, my husband was killed in a coal mining accident waiting to know. I've heard people say, they're aren't that many missing, but they forget the other wars, WW1, WW2 and Korea. I think there is one man missing in Iraq but am not sure.
We must never forget those who died and were prisoners of war and those who are still MIA. We need to learn to find peace in the world so that we don't have parents & brothers dying without knowing what happened to their family members.
God Bless the World

Judith L. Clinton (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 4:52 PM)

I don't believe WE as A People can EVER do ENOUGH to Honour Our Soldiers. Many are STILL DYING from the Vietnam War and for years to come. I lost my husband on Dec. 3, 2005 as a result of cancer linked to chemical warfare in Vietnam. I have the UTMOST respect for those who are serving now, and who did so in our past. Dying and being of the MIA's and POW's have all made a sacrifice that most of us can NEVER totally know or understand. Those people All deserve our utmost respect and as in the article, "shall never be forgotten". May our troops be brought home safely, and may I see the day, THEY ALL COME HOME. AMEN.

Ms. D Olson, Boone, IOWA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 6:05 PM)

Its been 63 years since my husband was declared MIA. In his memory I honor every name I see listed as MIA or as a casualty.The families also suffer greatly as they wait - and wait - and wait.

C.C.Roeder (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 8:37 PM)

It is not politically expedient to press on for the VN MIA's. North Korea; same thing. Heating up already delicate situations with those communist governments. They have our men. We know they have them. Pussyfooting is the best politicians can muster. They are not Men in the true sense. Statesmen (of which we have, about none) would have figured a strategic strangle hold on the Reds. By the way, they enjoy this sort of thing. They literally throw us a bone once in a while.

Don Murrin, Havertown, Penna. (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:34 PM)

God bless the troops. Those who served and came home, those who gave their all, and were returned to home, and those who gave and are resting in peace in our hallowed grounds over there, and especially those who have endured for so long now, and wait and wonder at WHY? Where is the U S that told me I would never be left behind?  Those whose ships don't come in........

Joe R. Downs Jr. Talbott, TN (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 12:37 AM)

PLEASE let all us never forget to pray continuously for our brave men and women serving this country, and even more so for those that are MIA, and POW.  We all need to especially pray hard for our missing in Iraq.  May God be with them, and their families.

Mrs. R.D. Bates, Lee's Summit, Missouri (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 7:50 AM)

Paragraph four reads:

... adding that they are "the latest edition to the ranks of those we honor today."

It's ADDITION. The latest addition to the ranks. They are added to the ranks.

Edition refers to something being published.

Sara Batten, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:55 AM)

America needs to wake up the the fact that America's veterans have a lasting impact on thier lives, not just when they served in the military but once they re-enter society.  They use their training and skills in both the public and private sectors such as in public office, corporate leadership and community volunteer roles.  Once we have been taught to give of ourselves for the sake of others, it usually continues for the rest of our lives.  Just go to a local VA hospital and meet the volunteers that help our disabled.  Go to you local volunteer or paid fire department or ambulance Corps and meet them.    

Bob Rimm, Garrison, NY (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:56 AM)

Hello, this is the text of reason:
An eye for an eye, it leaves us all blind.
POW and soldiers MIA do not need pompous honoray glorification given by our "defense" Secretary and Marine Gen.I believe that their memory would be greater served through the active retrival of those still possibly alive. Everyone knows of someone who is affected by this issue. The fact is that the government doesn't give a gosh darn about your little john doe who died during his brave service to this country. To the huge megalomaniacal government he is expendable. Wake up and realize! That as soon as they find a widow with a gut wrenching story of an amazing and dedicated soldier and lover (the all around americana man) they are going to capitalize on the media sensation that surrounds it. I feel for this woman and for all the people out their suffering their loss through of a loved one who has been put into harms way by the rash government who tries to protect its people through violence. How backwards is that. Ask yourself.

Norah McConarty (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 10:17 AM)

As a young man I was sent to Viet Nam and served for what I thought was a good cause.  I didn't only go once but three times and never gave it a second thought because at the time it was the thing to do.  Now as a senior citizen (62) I count my blessings everyday for not being a statistic POW OR MIA.  I feel the pain for all those who have loved ones in this status.  War is Hell and we need to support our young men and women in uniform and also the men and women who are serving in a civilian capacity supporting our troops.  God Bless them All...

Henry Navarro, Wentzville, Missouri (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 11:00 AM)

Yesterday I sat in a replica cage for those that have not returned. I sat there for 3 hours, I
am one of the fortunate ones. I spent 19 months, 19 days, and 22 hours in Viet Nam. I Salute Those who have served, I Salute those serving now, and I pray every day for the unification of family members lost or missing!

Bob Kinston Wa (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 12:29 PM)

I appreciate the Pentagon honoring our POWs and MIAs!  I appreciate them calling attention to the nation that these brave men are still missing.  They have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Those alive still want to come home, but the oppressive governments holding them won't allow them to. Everyone should read "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" and "Spite House" to read some amazing stories of American courage and service to their country.

Warren Baldwin, Ulysses, KS (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 2:12 PM)

Today I read where our Prez, is blocking a bill giving your youngster health care. I do not understand it, they can commit our young men and women into harms way and not give a hoot, unless the press is present. I serve my country durning the VN Era, so did a lot of my good friends that came back in black plastic body bags. I heard a story that, our black trash bags were coin after the bags our children came back in. My son is getting ready to serve his country as soon as he is commission out of Texas A&M, do I cry? yes I do, I still cry for my friends and families that still carry that picture of that black body bag. I saw them get loaded and unloaded, Yes I cry everytime I see one of our young people picture appears as MIA,POW or KIA. Mr. Prez, bring back our children alive. We don't need this war, you knew it was wrong, we did. Please sign that bill to give health care to out children, you can make war, why not make children happy?

J Veracruz, Rosebud, Texas 76570 (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 5:21 PM)


There are thousands listed MIA of the wars.  The army has a staff working the location and identity problrm along with the DOD lab in Hawaii.  There are assigned groups searching in many parts of the world continually.  Theye are not forgotten.

Wm. Leesemann Safety Harbor, FL 34695 (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 6:27 PM)

Bob Maier; former Marine, served proud in the United
States Marine Corps in the Seventies Era... you will not be forgotten.

Sarah Maier, Crescent City, Calif. (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 6:54 PM)

We should not have shed one drop of our young peoples
blood for the Iraq or any other sand pile. Let us get smart and get our of the war business. Anyone with any smarts at all can see the only reason we started
this was for oil and for the weapons manufactures to sell more guns, tanks airplane etc..  Stan

Stan Parsons (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:11 PM)

My heart goes out to those famiies affected by MIA or POW status.  I hope that one day you are able to meet your loved one again - be it here on Earth or in heaven.  For those that have returned home, I hope that over time your wounds, both emotional and physical have healed, and you have come to see just how much you are appreciated.  Please never forget just how much we, as a nation, are behind you - both the soldiers and their families.  God Bless the USA.

Dana Morrison Fort Richardson, AK (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:48 PM)

To all who sent comments: Thank you for your service.  Welcome home, my brothers.  Thank you, the patriots who support our veterens and troops.  It's you who are making our country great by being there for so many.  God's Speed, America.

Greg Gaunt, Tucson, AZ (Sent Sunday, September 23, 2007 12:27 AM)

I'm appalled that the only time that we americans remember those MIAs (other than the suffering families) is when we see these loathsome photo ops featuring individuals who never set foot on a battlefield or held a weapon in defense of our great Country.  Less b.s. and more active searching for these galant warriors.  "Support our troops" means remembering the missing too.  Talk is so cheap.

Don Collins, Knoxville, TN (Sent Sunday, September 23, 2007 1:25 AM)



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