OFF THE WIRE
A local veterans group has set out to “change the face of Marion County” by putting a face to the 83,433 soldiers still missing since World War II.
The black and white POW-MIA flag, with a silhouette framed by barbed wire and a guard tower and the words “You Are Not Forgotten,” will be posted over 70 county buildings by the Rolling Thunder Inc. Florida Chapter 6 to keep the plight of POWs-MIAs in the public eye. Twelve flags already have been posted in private ceremonies.
On Wednesday, more than 200 people, including a former World War II POW, gathered to hoist one of the 58 remaining flags at the Marion County Animal Services complex on Baseline Road during a more public event.
“It would have made a difference,” said Carmel Whetzel, 88, knowing the plight of POWs was a concern with the public when he was captured, escaped and was recaptured by German forces during World War II.
“Two fellow soldiers were shot after escape attempts,” he told the crowd.
Whetzel, who received a Purple Heart for injuries he received prior to his capture, said typical meals in captivity were a “cup of tea, a cup of rutabaga soup and one loaf of bread for six men” for the day.
Rolling Thunder State Director Jim “Moe” Moyer, who served in the Vietnam War, said the flags were dedicated to three local veterans as well as 57 Florida POW-MIAs from the Vietnam War.
“These flags are dedicated to (Medal of Honor recipient) Hammett Bowen Jr., Korean War POW Cornelius DuBose of Marion County and Whetzel, as well as all POWs,” Moyer said as Rolling Thunder Chapter 6 president Kathryn McLaughlin held up posters showing American soldiers Sgt. Ahmed Qusai Al Taie, taken prisoner in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2006, and Private Bowe R. Bergdahl, taken prisoner in Afghanistan in 2009.
McLaughlin and her sister Valerie Taylor headed the effort to add the POW-MIA flags to flagstaffs already flying the American flag at county sites, including 30 fire stations, recycling centers and other facilities. Chapter members praised the assistance of Jeffrey Askew, Marion County Veterans Service Officer, and the Board of County Commissioners, for allowing the flags to be flown. Commissioner Stan McClain accepted a plaque thanking the board for their backing.
The flags were donated by Rolling Thunder and the group made a two-year commitment to maintain them. Should they need renewing, some citizens have offered to help, such as Roger Knechtel, 71.
“Forgetting the POWs/MIAs is a national tragedy and crime. We need to keep up the awareness,” Knechtel said.
In a moving segment of the program, David Reeve, a retired Air Force Master Sgt., led a detail of veterans in setting up a missing man table.
“The table is set for one and the chair is empty because our comrade is missing,” Reeve said, stressing the word “remember” with each item added to the setting.
In the setting, a white tablecloth represented pure intentions of a soldier for his country, salt signified tears and a rose stood for blood.
“We’re enjoying the sweetness of liberty while POWs endure the agony of internment,” said Reeve, of the U.S. Military Vets motorcycle club.
Other members of his club, members from Florida Rolling Thunder Chapters 3, 6, 7 and 8, and Chapter 7 from South Carolina, as well as a student color guard from Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School, also participated in Wednesday’s event.
Hammett Bowen students D’Angelo Rodriguez, Juliana Oyola and Kaley Wallace read essays.
“This is a chance to express my feelings about the soldiers,” D’Angelo said. “My Dad, uncle and grandfather were in the service.”
Kaley said the event was very important because some didn’t return and people often “thank my Dad for his service.”
Juliana said it is important for people to “know about” the POWs.
Garry Johnson, 61, who lost his right leg after “stepping on a booby trap” during the Vietnam War, was in the audience.
“We need this reminder,” Johnson said as he left the event in his wheelchair....
http://www.ocala.com/article/20120125/ARTICLES/120129780