KIA Private Simmons laid to rest-Tallahassee

Tallahassee Native PFC Anthony Simmons was KIA July 8 in Afghanistan while serving our country.

He arrived home in Tallahassee Sunday and was escorted to Culleys funeral home by family and representatives of various LEO and Motorcycle organizations representing and/or supporting veterans.

Last night Patriot Guard Members, Vietnam Veterans/Legacy Vets MC members and others
stood a flag line at the Northwoods Baptist Church to demonstrate respect for Private Simmons, his family and loved ones.

Today Services were held for Private Simmons. A flag line was again established to honor his and his families sacrifice for America and all Americans.

Upon the completion of the service LEO, military, approximately 36 motorcycles representing veterans and supporters honored Private Simmons and his family, loved ones and friends by escorting them to Roselawn cemetery where he was buried with full military honors.

WCTV reported as many as four hundred attendees. One Rider using interstate mile markers estimated the procession to be 1 and qne/half miles long.

Private Simmons was 25 years old.

The Simmons family sacrifice shall not be forgotten and will be in our prayers.
Rest in Peace Private Simmons, you have completed your duty with honor and your country is proud of you.

Click here for more pictures of relating to Sgt. Simmons.Add to Technorati Favorites

Veteran casualties not often heard of- "Atomic Veterans"

Most of us have heard of dismal health care any of our veterans receive upon their return home from
battlefields.  From the less than ideal conditions at Walter Reed hospital to less than optimal care closer to home at the VA hospitals in our area.

It has taken herculean efforts by active and inactive veterans to attract attention, if not an adequate response, to any number of health problems related to service that many in Washington would be happy to ignore. Issues run the gamut from exposure to Agent Orange, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Substance Abuse, Broken Marriages, homelessness and sadly, suicide.

A great many have payed lip service to these issues, but like the oil that continues to bleed into the gulf, little is done to stem the physical and psychological bleeding of those who served us and then are cast aside.  Even to the extent of denying MIA's still exist, which of course the return home of the remains of SGT. James Alley proved, that yes, there are some left behind!

Recently this writer has learned from a Vietnam Vet of a class of wounded few have considered.  Those fail to get:

fair hearing related to their developing ( radiogenic )  health issues  that may have been precipitated by their exposure to “ionizing” radiation while participating in a nuclear weapon test detonation, or a “post-test” event.   From the beginning, and to date, we continue to pursue our purpose to this dedicated cause.

Atomic Veterans were members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in atmospheric and underwater nuclear weapons tests from 16 July, 1945 to 30 October 1962.  They also include veterans who were assigned to post test duties, such as “ground zero” nuclear warfare maneuvers & exercises, removing radiation cloud samples from aircraft wing pods, working in close proximity to radiated test animals,  de -contamination of aircraft and field test equipment, retrieval and transport of test instruments & devices, and a host of other duty assignments that provided an opportunity for a radiation exposure & contamination event.  

 Also included are military personnel who were a part of the Occupation Forces assigned to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan soon after the detonation of Atomic-Bombs over those respective cities, and those American prisoners of war ( POW’s ) who were housed in close proximity to those cities.  These Veterans fit the VA’s “official” description of an Atomic-Veteran. 

 There is a second group of veterans who may have been involved in radiation exposure events. These  include post test events related to nuclear weapon devices detonated  underground or in shafts ( after 1962 ) that may have provided a radiation exposure event, or those who’s duties involved regular use of radiation producing equipment or processes, such as power plant technicians aboard nuclear powered Aircraft Carriers and Submarines, X-ray technicians, and  those veterans assigned to the Enewetak Atoll radiation clean-up projects.  These veterans fit the VA’s “official”  description  as  Occupational  radiation  exposed veterans.

from  National Association of Atomic Veterans, Inc.

( A Non-profit Veteran’s Assistance Organization )

This is just one of many sites that are attempting to draw attention to this issue in the hopes of getting help for illnesses associated with this type of service.

NOTES from info we received and how you can help.  HOW CAN YOU HELP? SPREAD THE WORD, GET THE INFO OUT! WE ARE SURE THERE ARE  MANY WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM!

HR 2553, The Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act, is currently in the Subcommittee on Military Personnel within the House Armed Services Committee.  As of right now, there are only 15 co-sponsors (including Congressman Posey).  It looks like we’re going to need to drum up some more co-sponsors to get this bill out of committee and to a vote.  Similarly, the Senate version of the bill, S 1128, is currently in the Committee on Armed Services.  That bill only has 3 co-sponsors.

and:

Please reference the two bills attached in PDF Format and the summaries for them below. They can also be read by going to the URL and you can view the Sponsors and Co-Sponsors at the appropriate URL. Time is running out on a lot of our Atomic Veterans who participated in these Atomic Tests. Most have Died already from Cancers and other Diseases, but at least they should and can be honored through their Surviving Families’ who deserve the acknowledgement at least of their sacrifices’ to their Country; not knowing at the time the INVISIBLE ATOMIC BULLET would eventually kill or harm them.

You would not believe the inability of all of us too obtain the proper treatment from the DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs over the years, even after Laws’ WERE PAST AND VA Circulars were Distributed to VA Hospitals and Clinics as to the ATOMIC VETERANS status being on the same level equal and PRIORITY as Prisoners Of War for Treatment “WITHOUT CHARGES”. These Circulars were ignored and the Atomic Registry, which was supposed to have been established, was non-existent at most VA REGIONAL OFFICES, HOSPITALS and CLINICS. At Viera Clinic recently in July 2009, I finally got the “Atomic Veterans Registry” established at VIERA to some degree.

. As far as I know, the have not published a NEWS LETTER to all of the local Atomic Veterans inviting them to Register with them. I provided them Documentation from 1983, which is attached. Ref par. 3 of VA CIRCULAR 10-83-61 dated, April 5, 1983; Subject: VA Cir 10-83-61 Guidelines Ionizing Radiation & NTPR.

3. Health care services authorized under this provision are limited to hospital and nursing home care in VA facilities and outpatient care in VA facilities on a pre- or post-hospitalization basis or to obviate a need for hospitalization. Such health care services will be provided without regard to the veteran's age, service connected status or the inability of the veteran to defray the expenses of such care. Veterans furnished outpatient care under this authority will be accorded priority ahead of other nonservice-connected veterans and equal to former Prisoners of War, who are receiving, cares for nonservice-connected conditions. Congress made it clear that this law provides for health care only, and that a determination that   the veteran is eligible for such care does not constitute a basis for service connection or in any way affect determinations’ regarding service connection.

I trust that some action in assisting with the Medal issue will be forthcoming, as well possible attention to the matter of the “Atomic Veterans Registry”establishment be revisited by the Veterans Administration. Example, My Primary Care VA Physician asked me for help recently for another one of his patients who also is an Atomic Veteran in gaining some information, which I provided to him.

THE BILLS:

H. R. 2553 Official Summary http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2553/show

5/21/2009--Introduced. Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) design and produce a military service medal, to be known as the Atomic Veterans Service Medal, to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who participated in a radiation-risk activity while serving on active duty; and …(2) Issue the Medal to such veterans or their next-of-kin

S. 1128, the Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_SN_1128.html

S. 1128 would authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.

Detailed Summary

Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) design and produce a military service medal, to be known as the Atomic Veterans Service Medal, to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who participated in a radiation-risk activity while serving on active duty; and (2) issue the Medal to such veteran or their next-of-kin.

Folks, it is a crying shame that we have to learn about these things from veterans who for years have been fighting alone against the government they served to get the care they were not only promised, but rightfully earned.

It is even more shameful that as wars end we forget about the collateral damage that sleeps in the streets suffering from physical and mental illnesses obtained is service to us.

I can think of numbers of feel good activities that many of us engage in to demonstrate our patriotism,
but can't help but get a hollow feeling in my gut that our flag waving is an empty gesture if not followed by action.  Many of us I am sure are unaware of many of these issues, and once aware are at a loss of where to begin to help.

But begin we must, for who will fight for our freedom if we cast aside those who already have?Add to Technorati Favorites
 

779th Engineer Battalion returning home to Tallahassee, upcoming PGR mission

We escorted the 779th Engineer Battalion on their way to the Sand Box, in Tallahassee last year.

Now we have the honor of escorting them home! They will need an escort from Ft. Stewart. (Savannah, Ga.) to Tallahassee, Fl. on 5/20/2010. Route is expected to be Hwy 84 from Savannah to Thomasville, through Valdosta. then south to Tallahassee.

As we have learned in the past, everything subject to change. So keep checking back and we will update as they come in.Add to Technorati Favorites

Two Soldiers laid to rest

Friday Feb.19 at 30 degrees two of us left Wakulla County headed to Madison, Florida where we met up with two riders from Gainseville, Fl.  Riders from Ga. and elsewhere to stand in honor and respect as Navy Seaman Wallace Lyndon Pickels was laid to rest.

Monday Feb 23 again Riders from North Florida and South Georgia met in Tallahassee to stand a flagline in honor and respect for  US Air Force Major Harlan.

These warriors were not KIA's from any number of the foreign lands we currently have soldiers stationed in harms way.

No Matter. They served. Those my friend are the operative words, "They served", us, you and I.

Whether or not we agree with the skirmishes our government gets us into, it is the soldier that enables you and I to sleep safe at night.  It is the soldier that protects you and I.

If you read:
(link) The coming revolution and resultant police state?

Then pray that someday they will protect us from our own government!

Click here for pics of the missions

Insuring the Tallahassee Veterans day debacle does not happen again

IF you have read the following posts (links):
Leon County veterans voice there concerns to Commisioners over cancelled paradeCitizens of Tallahassee-Stand up Tuesday night
Capital of Florida continues recent history of shaming veterans

Then you are familiar with how the parade was canceled as a result of the "possibility" of rain and the veterans concerns over how their parade is dissed!

Well the Veterans are taking the parade out of local governments hands and are looking for help. The upside to this call to help is that you do not have to be a veteran to participate.  Tallahassee, those who have served you are asking for your help. How will you respond?

As received:

Veterans Day Parade
If you are interested in helping to plan, organize
or execute a Veterans Day Parade here in
Tallahassee we want to meet you.
There will be 3 opportunities to sign up with the
Big Bend Vets Parade Inc at the Hootch located at
241 Lake Ella Dr ( next to the helicopter)
On Sunday December 6th, 13th & 20th
between 5 & 7 PM
Stop by on any one of these dtaes and introduce
yourself, we will be getting contact info and setting
up the first official meeting in January to elect
officers and establish by-laws.
This is open to anyone who cares to volunteer
their time for this very worthy causeAdd to Technorati Favorites

POW/MIA Day 09 tallahassee

(click pic to enlarge)
What do you do when a large number of Veterans gather to talk about how they feel they have been betrayed by their government? You listen.


The weekend kicked off with a candlelight ceremony at the Korean War memorial Friday night followed by eats at the hooch on lake Ella.

I forgot my camera which is somewhat of a double edged sword. On the one hand I can not share with you the beauty and solemnity of the ceremony which, had you been there, you would have see for yourself. On the other hand it enabled me to focus totally on the ceremony and not worry about pictures.

I did not forget my camera for Saturdays ride on the capital and those pics can be found here.

Listening to veterans declare war on this country, not through the use of tanks, M-16's, and grenades, but through the use of phones, e-mail, fax machines and legislative actions is chilling.

It is also perfectly understandable when one learns just how the government has abandoned/betrayed the very persons they asked/told to go into "Harms Way".

The code of the U.S. Fighting Force, a directive issued by the United States Department of Defense
states (emphasis ours):

c. Just as you have a responsibility to your country under the Code of Conduct, the United States government has an equal responsibility—to keep faith with you and stand by you as you fight for your country. If you are unfortunate enough to become a prisoner of war, you may rest assured that your government will care for your dependents and will never forget you. Furthermore, the government will use every practical means to contact, support and gain release for you and for all other prisoners of war.

7. Code of Conduct VI

a. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

And despite the long overdue return of downed aviator Scott Captain Speicher thinly covered by the press (thank God, for the internet, bloggers and You Tube), even less covered by the press is the governments wish, for political reasons, to close the books on POW's and MIA's.

We have written on this situation on a couple of occasions such as here and here.

A well sponsored resolution has been introduced:

H.Res 111: “To establish in the House of Representatives a Select Committee to be known as the Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.”

Function: The committee shall conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War Two, Cold War missions, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Enduring Freedom including MIAs and POWs.

During the past 110th Congress the resolution had a record-setting two hundred and eighty co-sponsors, which should have been more than enough to bring it to the floor for a vote.

But, unbelievably, it never got out of the Rules Committee. The official explanation was that there were not to be any new committees formed during the 110th Congress.

Was this the real reason, or were there other factors that caused its demise?

House Resolution 111, though having failed on a number of occasion is not dead yet dead. It is only the resolve of various veterans groups that keep the resolution alive.  Which is sad.

My fear is that the apathetic public that have meekly allowed and continue to allow the U.S. Governments betrayal of all this country is based on will continue to say the "Pledge of Alligence"
and Sing the National Anthem at ball games then retire to home made safe for them by the blood of those who insure their safety.

How can anyone sleep well at night knowing that they live in a Nation that will betray those who insure that very nations existence.  There are no excuses!

If you are unfortunate enough to become a prisoner of war, you may rest assured that your government will care for your dependents and will never forget you. Furthermore, the government will use every practical means to contact, support and gain release for you and for all other prisoners of war.

This is a Promise. It is a promise made by a country to it's defenders. Despite the fact that in this day and time where broken promises and a mans word are now the rule and not the exception, there are NO EXUSES for breaking this promise.  To do so is not the shame of the government, but the shame of "We the People" who are in fact, the government.

Contact your representative, tell them if this bill (HR111) is not passed, no matter whatever else is accomplished you will not vote for them.
 

From the  POW/MIA Tables of Honors

REMEMBER – all of you served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

REMEMBER

HONOR ME WITH FLAGS IF YOU WILL

HONOR ME WITH PRAYERS AND PRAISE

BUT IF MY CAUSE WAS DESERVING OF YOUR HONOR

THEN PICK UP MY RIFLE

                     SO THAT MY DEATH MAY NOT  HAVE BEEN IN VAIN

 To Ride Free, you must first be truly freeAdd to Technorati Favorites

Naval fighter pilot Scott Speicher-FSU Flyover

Also from the Dragon, this tribute to Naval fighter pilot Scott Speicher returned home after being shot down over Iraq.

See more coverage here and here



You can also learn more about the plight of the missing in action and our governments
propensity to pretend the problem does not exist here:

(link) http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2009/06/you-can-help-heal-nations-shame-pow-mia.html

The price of liberty is eternal vigilanceAdd to Technorati Favorites

Tally PGR mission and Pony Express update

We have been invited to escort the services of Sgt. Bruce Scott, Jr. Details of Sat. events are still being planned. The Friday visitation, Aug. 6, is from 3-7 pm at Richardson Family Funeral Care, 2627 S. Adams St., Tallahassee. We will have flags available and will have a flag line. Please come and stay as you are able. I expect final details to be available for Sat. late today or early tomorrow. The funeral is set for 1 pm Sat. in the Tallahassee area. We have been asked to escort the family from their home to the church. Again I will get ALL the details and send them out when they are complete.

The Pony Express ride previously mentioned will proceed as planned but without as many Tallahassee riders. The staging point for that mission is the Pilot Truck stop at Midway. KSU at 930 Saturday. That will stop at Exit 283, 343 and on I-95 before arriving at the VFW post in Palm Coast.

Please make plans to do one or the other. Both missions are about honoring our servicemen. Bring yourself, regular biker attire, jeans, etc., you may bring American flags if you have them, but not required. Hydrate well by drinking lots of water.

Mike Donohoe, 510-1874, havananole@yahoo.com
State Captain
Patriot Guard Rider

Ed. Note: The Pony Express reference refers to the hand delivery of a flag to a family of a KIA. This flag is being shuttled by Riders From Texas to the East coast of Florida. It will come through the Tallahassee area on Sat.

Because of the need to have PGR at two places at once we will need all the help we can get Sat. Feel Free to join in.Add to Technorati Favorites

Area PGR rides for SPC Justin D. Coleman-rest in peace

July 24th SPC Justin D. Coleman from Spring Hill, FL and members of his unit were conducting security checks in a remote, mountainous region of Afghanistan where military officials believed the Taliban held captive Army PFC Bowe R. Bergdahl. PFC Bergdahl disappeared from his outpost a month ago and appeared in a Taliban hostage video last week.  Our soldiers were ambushed. Justin and three other members of his unit were killed in the attack.

Yesterday 7 PGR riders left out of Tallahassee at 8:00 AM for the long trek to Spring Hill Florida to join others to stand in Honor Justin D. Coleman in gratitude for his service to his fellow soldiers, his family, his community and is country.

Knowing they would stand in the heat and would probably end up getting wet from the afternoon thunder storms and have a long dark ride home they went to stand.

Today we are alive to pay our respects and say thank you. Justin Coleman is not. He will be buried to day.

We gave a day of respect. He gave a life of honor.

I find myself wondering at times how many wars we would have if "all" wars were fought on the homefront?Add to Technorati Favorites 

Florida Servicemen must get respect, Florida's Capital City MUST GIVE IT TO THEM- HELP US!!!!

We have sent out a number of e-mails requesting citizens from all states be made aware of the shoddy treatment received by soldiers/veterans in the capital city of Florida and help us set things straight.

Below is the letter we have sent this time this date. Within it contains links that lead to other links that describe our ongoing battle with Tallahassee officials and requests that they set the record straight. They will not, they refuse, they blame each other and they flip flop.

Thank God our soldiers act with more honor than the officials we elect to represent us. Imagine if you would, Imagine if our soldiers acted with the same integrity of our public officials.  Feel free to use any or all of the letter below. With the address's. NO SURRENDER, NO COMPROMISE, NO RETREAT

from r c to Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com cc Jeff.Kottkamp@myflorida.com, proctorb@leoncountyfl.gov, Deslogeb@leoncountyfl.gov, Daileyj@leoncountyfl.gov, SummerlinL@leoncountyfl.gov, bradyk@leoncountyfl.gov, Jonesc@leoncountyfl.gov, thaellc@leoncountyfl.gov, campbell@leoncountyfl.gov date Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 9:48 PM subject Getting respect for veterans in the Florida Capital mailed-by gmail.com

hide details 9:48 PM (8 minutes ago)

Reply

 Also sent to:
 mike.smith@wctv.tv
 http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=CUSTOMERSERVICE03
 http://www.talgov.com/email.cfm?id=commissioners
 http://www.talgov.com/tpd/
Honorable Governor Christ, After watching you send off the 779th we realized that you  may not be aware of the treatment our servicemen are getting here in the Capital City.  That the treatment received by the 779th may have just been a show put on by the Tallahassee Police Department for your honor. We have been working for a number of years now trying to get the Capital City to give the same respect to veterans given by Florida Communities and equal the respect the capital city gives to football players and on one occasion at least, a horse.

The Following links should make you aware of the current situation.

Marianna-PGR sends off 144th and we say bullshit to Capital of Florida and it's Lt. Governor, what wasn't reported

Tallahassee, Florida a State Capital where patriotism is dead.

It's shame we have yet to see a site such as this in Tallahassee.

http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE


We have written the Tallahassee Police Chief and The Leon County Sheriff.  Both of whom have said they would provide escorts and then flip flopped.  You got an escort for the 779th. The 144th got an escort from Marianna to the Leon County line at which time the officer had to turn of his lights and motorcyclists had to take on the duties law enforcement should have assumed and does in most other Florida Counties.

You should also be aware that we have witnessed Alabama Troopers escorting football players through red lights in downtown Tallahassee. Yet a Florida officer escorting Florida servicemen must turn his lights off??? 

Where is the respect in THE action of that sir?  Where is the honor in that type of action or lack of action.

I am writing this in the hopes that you are not aware of this situation and that being made aware you will help to rectify what should have never been allowed to happen even once.

The Lt. Governor said he would look into this for us and get back to us. Since he did not ask how to contact us we felt we should write.

Will be forwarding this to everyone we can think of and posting on Bigbendbikersforfreedom.comhttp://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/

We humbly await your response.

With respect

rc
Let Freedom ReignAdd to Technorati Favorites

Update: Heal a Nations Shame-Leave none Behind-POW-MIA

On 6-29-09 we posted the following:

YOU CAN HELP HEAL A NATIONS SHAME-POW-MIA

Support:

H. Res. 111: Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs
Full text of which can be found here, the operative words being:

RESOLUTION

Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.

Resolved, That there is established in the House of Representatives a select committee to be known as the Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.

FUNCTIONS

Sec. 2. The select committee shall conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War II, Cold War Missions, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Enduring Freedom, including MIA’s and POW’s missing and captured.

Our Post pointed out the following:

Since the 1950s the DOD has listed thousands of military personnel as missing in action. There are more than 2,600 American servicemen listed as MIA from the Vietnam War; approximately 8,900 from the Korean War; and an additional 80,000 from World War II. If one considers only the immediate family members missing servicemen, the number of people affected by the MIA tragedy is in the hundreds of thousands.Admittedly those numbers may be high. But then again they may not be because as one writer wrote:

"It is not conspiracy theory, not paranoid myth, not Rambo fantasy. It is only hard evidence of a national disgrace: American prisoners were left behind at the end of the Vietnam War. They were abandoned because six presidents and official Washington could not admit their guilty secret. They were forgotten because the press and most Americans turned away from all things that reminded them of Vietnam."^{[45] 
Wikipedia}

And what is happening in congress relating to this issue and how you can help. Following is an update:

June has been a good month, going from a slow start bringing it up to 36 cosponsors for June. If your congressman/woman isn't on yet as a cosponsor call him again and make sure you speak with the staff person that handles military and POW/MIA matters. Those of us that work Capital Hill often have to call the offices 10 times until they sign on, once a week to help get this on the agenda to bring before the congressmen. Calling and speaking to whoever answers the phone isn't good enough, you could wind up getting a summer student or new staffer who doesn't convey your message as you would.

You Can Call Congress Toll Free at 1-866/727-4894. Ask the operator for your congressman, then ask for the military and POW/MIA staff person, tell them to have the congressman cosponsor, we need him to sign on now.

H. Res. 111 :06/26/09, 177 co-sponsors, D = 92 = 51.9%;     R = 84 =  47.1%

State	Cosponsors	111th Congress - 2009	D	R	100%
Alas	1/1	Young		1	100%
AL	7/2	Aderholt, Griffith	1	1
AR	4/2	Boozman, Ross,	1	1
AZ	8/1	Mitchell,	1
CA	53/15	Rohrabacher, Schiff, Harman, Lungren, Issa, Bono, Capps, Tauscher, Cardoza, Calvert, Gallegly, McClintock, Bilbray, Filner, McNerney,	8	7
CO	7/1	Perlmutter,	1
CT	5/2	Murphy, Larson	2
Del	1/
FL	25/12	Buchanan, Mack, Brown-Waite, Klein, Diaz-Balart, Posey, Putnam, Meek, Sterns, Rooney, Kosmas, Miller	3	9
GA	13/2	Price, Linder,		2
HI	2/
ID	2/
IO	5/2	Boswell, Loebsack,	2
IL	19/7	Manzullo, Costello, Foster, Shimkus, Johnson, Guttierez, Rush,	4	3
IN	9/3	Souder, Burton, Donnelly	1	2
KY	6/6	Rogers, Davis, Yarmuth, Chandler, Whitfield, Guthrie	2	4	100%
KS	4/3	Moore, Tiahrt, Moran,	1	2
LA	7/2	Flemming, Boustany, Cao,		3
MA	10/
MD	8/4	Sarbanes, Bartlett, Edwards, Cummings,	3	1
Maine	2/2	Michaud, Pingree,	2
Mich	15/2	Kildee, McCotter, Hoekstra,	1	2
Miss	4/
MN	8/8	Bachman, Paulsen, Ellisen, Oberstar, Peterson, Walz, Kline, McCollum,	5	3	100%
MO	9/2	Emmerson, Akin,		2
Mont	1/	Rehberg,		1	100%
Neb	3/1	Terry,		1
Nev	3/1	Heller,		1
NC	13/7	Myrik, Foxx, Butterfield, Cobel, McHenry, Kissell, Miller,	3	4
ND	1/
NH	2/2	Shea-Porter, Hodes,	2		100%
NJ	13/13	Rothman, Smith, LoBiondo, Frelinghuysen, Garrett, Lance, Holt, Pallone, Andrews, Payne, Sires, Pascrell, Adler	8	5	100%
NM	3/1	Teague,	1
NY	29/11	Ackerman, Crowley, Bishop, Maloney, Arcuri, Mccarthy, Israel, Rangle, Weiner, Clarke, Lowery,	11
OH	18/7	Kaptur, Ryan, Jordan, LaTourette, Latta, Schmidt, Space,	3	4
OK	5/1	Boren,	1
OR	5/2	Wu, DeFazio,	2
PA	19/13	Holden, Bradey, Murtha, Altmire, T.Murphy, Fattah, Platts, Dahlkemper, Schwartz, Carney, P.Murphy, Gerlack,	10	3
RI	2/1	Langevine,	1
SC	6/3	Brown, Inglis, Wilson,		3
SD	1/1	Sandlin,	1
TN	9/7	Davis, Cohen, Blackburn, Gordon, Roe, Wamp, Tanner,	4	3
TX	32/11	Paul, Poe, Gohmert, Burgess, McCaul, Sessions, Olson, Neugebauer, Marchant, Johnson, Hall, Granger	1	11
UT	3/
VA	11/6	Moran, Wolf, Wittman, Scott, Forbes, Connolly,	3	3
VT	1/
WA	9/
WI	8/3	Sensenbrenner, Baldwin, Kagen,	2	1
WV	3/1	Capito,		1
WY	1/1	Lummis,		1	100
GU,VI, M DC,PR,SA	5/2	Christensen, Bordallo,	2
Totals	177/435	= 40.6 %	92	85

Progress has been made. BUT "progress" is not "succeeding".  Which means now is not the time to give up if we want to "win" the goal of insuring that  "America does not rest until "ALL" who have served her have been accounted for!"

So again , Get on the on the phone and call your congressman/woman. It's a free call the only cost is a couple of minutes of your time. Ask them to support :

 H. Res. 111: Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs
Full text of which can be found here, the operative words being:

RESOLUTION

Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.

Resolved, That there is established in the House of Representatives a select committee to be known as the Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.

FUNCTIONS

Sec. 2. The select committee shall conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War II, Cold War Missions, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Enduring Freedom, including MIA’s and POW’s missing and captured.

HOWEVER you  must call, our experience is that e-mails only give them another address to send their news letters to.

Below we include the links that were posted with the original post should you need more info:

Letter From the:

"Wife of POW Navy Pilot, Who Had Husband's Remains Sent Home By North Vietnamese in 1989, Was Lied to by U.S. Officials For Years About His Whereabouts And POW Status"

And many others like it that raise some concerning questions. In fact while looking for one piece of information I ran across so many stories similiar to above I was astounded and sickened.  I'm sure this is no surprise to the many families that still have no closure in regards to family members whose end has never met a final conclusion.  I hope it comes to somewhat of a surprise to some who have ignored this issue.

Remember: The third Friday of every September is POW/MIA recognition day.

Rember: nothing changes what you do not become involved in changing it!

Other links of interest regarding MIA/POW:

POW/MIA Links:

• Service Casualty Offices (Full contact information)
  - US Air Force POW/MIA Program: http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil
  - US Army Repatriation and Family Affairs Division (CMAOC): https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/TAGD/CMAOC/NavigationPages/nav_RFAD.htm
  - US Marine Corps: (No POW/MIA Web Site, Click here for contact information)
  - US Navy: http://www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/CasualtyAssistance/POW_MIA.htm
  - Civilians: (No POW/MIA Web Site, Click here for contact information)
• Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL)
• Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC)
• US Army Center of Military History:(http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/)
  - Online Bookshelves - Research Materials
  - Online Oral History Collections
  - Korean War Medal of Honor Recipients (All Services)
  - Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipients, A-L (All Services)
  - Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipients, M-Z (All Services)
  - Memorial Day Remembrance Page
• US Navy - Naval Historical Center:(http://www.history.navy.mil/)
  - Wars and Conflicts of the US Navy
• Quartermaster Museum: (US Army)
  - US Army Mortuary Affairs History Page
• WW II 60th Anniversary

Archives:

• Library of Congress
  - U.S.-Russia Joint Commission Documents Database
  - Vietnam-Era Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Database
• National Archives and Records Administration
  

More Links:

McCain and the POW Cover-up
http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/pow_mia/
http://www.rftw.org/index.asp?lg=1&w=pages&r=0&pid=88

From the  POW/MIA Tables of Honors

REMEMBER – all of you served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

 

 

REMEMBER

HONOR ME WITH FLAGS IF YOU WILL

HONOR ME WITH PRAYERS AND PRAISE

BUT IF MY CAUSEE WAS DESERVING OF YOUR HONOR

THEN PICK UP MY RIFLE

SO THAT MY DEATH MAY NOT  HAVE BEEN IN VAINAdd to Technorati Favorites