On Friday morning, September 20, a Service of Remembrance was held in downtown Branson, in connection with National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The third Friday in September each year is designated to honor the bravery of those who were prisoners of war during our nation’s conflicts and the sacrifices made by their families, including those who still await information or closure.
A Veterans of the Ozarks Color Guard posted the colors to open the service, followed by the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mary Schantag of POW Network then recognized POW/MIA families and Gold Star families in attendance, as well as Veterans of the Ozarks members who recall stories from their own military experience and from the hundreds of funerals for which the group provides Honor Guard services.
“We owe every service member, veterans and their families a huge debt of gratitude for our freedoms and this country,” Schantag stated. “We cannot forget those that have gone before us. If we fail in teaching or remembering what has happened in the past, we are doomed to repeat it.”
As part of that remembrance, VOTO President David “Mac” McAllister, USN (Ret.) shared his memories of awaiting orders on his ship regarding a rescue attempt for the USS Pueblo, which was attacked on January 23, 1968, by North Korean naval vessels and MiG jets; one crew member was killed and several wounded. The 82 surviving crew members were captured and held prisoner for 11 months. The rescue attempt had to be abandoned, and the USS Pueblo remains a commissioned vessel of the United States Navy, the only U.S. ship currently still held captive. It is on public display in North Korea, despite continuing diplomatic efforts to secure its return.
McAllister, whose Navy career crossed paths with some of the Pueblo survivors following their release, introduced U.S. Navy 1st Class Petty Officer, CTI Donald Peppard, who was serving on the USS Pueblo at the time of the attack. Peppard received a Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for Valor, and a Prisoner of War Medal. He continued serving in the Navy following release, for a total of 22 years; he now serves as President of the USS Pueblo Veterans Association, which gathered in Branson last week for their annual reunion.
Following sharing of memories by Officer Peppard, Mary Schantag reminded those gathered that while the imprisoned Pueblo crew were finally able to come home, not all families were lucky enough to see their sons and daughters again, or even to find closure and peace of mind. More than 85,600 are still unaccounted for from wars and conflicts around the world, meaning more than 2 million family members are still waiting. At least 2,438 of those service members are from Missouri, not including those lost outside of designated combat zones, a group which has received little focus from our government.
Schantag shared a story of a family recently receiving answers, as a reminder that there is always hope and that we can all help be the voice for those families. She also reiterated the importance of saying names and keeping memories alive, before reading names of Pueblo crew members who perished and who have passed since their homecoming. In their memory, and for families still carrying the burden of loss, the remembrance service closed with tolling of the bell by POW Network volunteer Jeanne Cooper for those killed, lost, and unaccounted for in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, Vietnam, OIF, OEF, and those outside designated combat zones. We can help honor them by continuing to remember.
Comments