Luncheon for former prisoners of war

Today the Coast recognized former prisoners of war in World War II and Vietnam and honored them with a luncheon held at the Biloxi VA Medical Center.
Five former prisoners of war, their families and widows gathered together to remember the days they would never forget. The guest speaker was Dr. Jeff Moore, the executive director for the Robert E. Mitchell Center for Repatriated POW Studies in Pensacola, Florida.
He spoke about the type of medical follow up the Department of Defense has provided for the POWs and thanked them for all they’ve done. “What is interesting is that they continue to give back to the country. The Vietnam group largely stayed on active duty. They continue to be aviators. They continued to be physicians. They continued to give to the country and stayed 20-30 years after they came home,” said Dr. Moore.
As the ceremony concluded, they recognized the Missing Man, an empty chair with a table, salt shaker, and a red ribbon, each representing a meaning behind the men who have not returned and letting them know they are not forgotten.