Veterans recall missing comrades

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- It was a moment to remember.

To remember all veterans, but, in particular, American servicemen and women who were prisoners of war and missing in action.

The first-ever All Veterans Celebration's memorial service, held Sunday morning in Turner Hall Park and in front of the Brown County Veterans Memorial on the Courthouse lawn, drew nearly 100 people.

At the park, they heard the past commander of the American Legion's Second District, Lloyd Kumerow of Lamberton, praise the Brown County Veterans Council for recognizing America's POWs and MIAs National POW/MIA Recognition Day which is the third Friday of September.

"It reminds us of the men and women who withstood great hardship while imprisoned by our nation's enemies, and it reminds us of those still missing -- loved ones lost at war whose fate is not yet fully known," Kumerow said.

"We will not forget these patriots who were willing to give their all to preserve and protect our freedoms. Nearly 50,000 former POWs live among us, including those held captive during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, throughout the Cold War era and during Operation Desert Storm. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these quiet heroes who displayed great honor and who sacrificed so much for our nation," he said.

"To the families of those who are still missing, we renew our unwavering commitment and determination to obtain the fullest possible accounting for them, including their recovery and the identification of the remains of those who have died."

Kumerow said records indicate that 46,417 of the 142,232 Americans captured and held prisoner during the nation's last five conflicts, starting with World War I, are still alive. Most of those (43,194) were in World War II.

The figures cover both world wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, as well as one American in Somalia and three on duty in Kosovo.

"There are still 38 POWs/MIAs unaccounted for from the Vietnam War from Minnesota," Kumerow stated.

Kumerow also explained the importance of the POW-MIA flag as a constant reminder of the POWs/MIAs' plight.

As a reason for not forgetting them, Kumerow told the story of American Navy pilot Scott Speicher who was shot down and disappeared on the first night of the Gulf War.

"He was declared killed in action, body not recovered," Kumerow recounted. "Then almost three years later, they found his plane in the Iraqi desert. They believe he ejected before the crash."

Several times the U.S. government declared Speicher dead, Kumerow said, but by 1999 reports out of Iraq indicated he might have survived.

"In January, 2001, 10 years later, he was put on the MIA list," Kumerow said. "No American service member from any war had ever been taken of the KIA list and put back on the MIA list."

American Legion District Two Commander Harvey Noble of Pipestone read a rollcall of area servicemen missing in action. Terri Heil of New Ulm sang "Amazing Grace" and the National Anthem.

The seven-rifleman Post 132 Comrades of Valor firing squad fired a volley of three rounds, and the New Ulm Civilian Battery fired its cannon twice.

A flag-raising ceremony followed at the Brown County Veterans Memorial. The American flag was raised, followed by the Minnesota State flag and the POW/MIA flag. The ceremony concluded with the raising of flags representing the military services -- Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.