Annual Former POW Day Luncheon

National Former Prisoners of War Day is Saturday. A luncheon was held at the Gulf Coast Veteran’s Health Care System recreation hall in honor of POWs. News 25’s Gina Tomlinson was there to hear some of their stories.
James Crooke passed away three years ago, but the life and legacy of this WWII prisoner of war survivor is carried on by his son and through the words of a song that triggers memories for many at today’s event including James Crooke’s wife, Theresa. Theresa also served as honorary speaker at this luncheon honoring former prisoners of war, including her husband POW 5518. “Always had a song in his heart and sang love songs to me for 65 years. That’s the way he won me,” said Theresa.
James Crooke won the battle for Theresa’s heart after the war by singing.“He had a wonderfully long life to have had such a disaster happen in his younger years,” said Theresa.
Former POW James Crooke wrote a book about his experiences while being held captive in Germany. On the back of the book is a picture of Theresa, one of the people he mentions in the dedication that encouraged him to write it. “He would write down in long hand and I would transfer into a computer,” said Theresa.
James and Theresa teamed up to chronicle his experiences in a book called “Berlin to the Gulf of Mexico: POW 5518 Remembers.” While there are plenty of days of captivity these former POW’s would rather forget, the sacrifices they’ve made to preserve our freedom will not be soon forgotten.“We sat by the bayou every night until we were married and he sang to me and we talked and we shared our lives,” said Theresa.