...there but for the grace of God go I.

“We interrupt this program to bring you a POW/MIA Alert.”

What would you think if you were watching your TV and you saw a POW/MIA Alert? They have the Amber Alert for kids and the Silver Alert for Seniors, why not have a POW/MIA alert for a POW/MIA on at least the third Friday of September every year?

Many of you may think this sounds like going overboard.  Many of you may feel it is the proper way to remember those who have insured our freedom.  This past weekend I attended the annual POW/MIA Ceremony sponsored by the General “Chappie” James American Legion Post 425 in Littleton. This has been one event I try to attend every year and every time I attend I learn something new.

This time I learned about a group of short wave radio operators (also known as ham radio operators) who eased a lot of families fears by passing on information about their missing in action (MIA) relatives who were, in fact, a prisoner of war (POW).

According to my research both Germany and Japan would announce the names and home towns of many POW’s on their radio broadcast. Short wave radio operators would listen to Axis Sally from Germany and Tokyo Rose from Japan as they promoted their propaganda.  Both countries thought that by announcing the POW’s they would have a negative impact on their families back home. In fact, for many families, it was the first word that their MIA loved one was in fact a POW and still alive.

When the operators would hear the name and town where the POW was from they would send a postcard to the family informing them of the news. It was not uncommon for families to receive many post cards from all over the country. The impact was far more positive than negative. Families who feared there was no hope, now had hope.

What stayed with me the most was a comment made by Mike Reaves, Past NC AMVETS state commander.  He said, “Those of us here today that have worn or wear the uniform of our country and served under our great flag know that there but [for] the grace of God go I.” 

After his comments the names of the POW/MIA’s from North Carolina were read and a candle was lit for each of them.  While Helen Burtchell, the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary President and Kay Johnson read each name they would also read the date they went MIA; every time they would read a year that I was in Vietnam Reaves’ comment would stick in my head.

In my younger years this did not have the impact it has now.  I need only think about the loss of our daughter, Robin, (my wife’s daughter, my step-daughter) several years ago and it has much more meaning.  As the names were read with the empty chair at the Missing Man table to the right of them I thought, that is how we feel on every holiday and special event – Robin is missing.

My heart almost broke when I realized there are thousands of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives and children who have had to spend at least the last 40  years with the thought of their missing serviceman or woman.  I felt darkened to think about the fact that many of those relatives probably went to their graves with that lingering thought.

Those of us who have lived in this area for several years may recall the story of Charles Jenkins.  His mother, in Weldon, did not know until 1996 that he was still alive.  Jenkins deserted the Army when he was in the Korean War and spent the time in North Korea.  In 2004 he was allowed to leave North Korea and moved to Japan with his wife and kids. 

It is almost sacrilegious to mention a deserter in the same article as missing POW/MIA’s, but the point is no one knew that he did not perish in Korea until 1996.  This leaves the door open for the families who feel they have nothing to know for sure their loved is not alive. 

We live in a country where going to war has often been glorified, but paying the price for war has been hidden or forgotten.  Part of that price is paid every day by the families of POW/MIA’s.  It is a price that all of us should remember at least once a year if not more.

Maybe if we all heard, “We interrupt this program to bring you a POW/MIA Alert,” on the POW/MIA holiday we would make sure they are not forgotten by those of us who are fortunate enough not to have a POW/MIA in our family.