Monday, Sep 25, 2006
Working closely with Georgia Southwestern State University, Andersonville National Historic Site held a series of events to highlight National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day. This special day, commemorated on the third Friday in September, is marked by ceremonies and events at military installations and veteran-related sites all over the world. Since Andersonville was designated by federal statute in 1970 as the national memorial to all POWs in American history, it is only natural that the site holds events to mark the date.
Ranger Kim Humber first formulated the idea of a joint commemoration in cooperation with the history department of Georgia Southwestern State University. This was a natural fit, since Kim is a 2005 graduate of the school with a degree in history and maintains close ties to the university. Working with her principal professor, Dr. Glenn Robins, she developed and organized several special programs.
On the evening of Thursday, September 14th, a POW forum was held that brought together two former Vietnam POWs and two POW family members for a panel discussion about their experience nearly 40 years ago. The forum featured Colonel Quin Herlik, an Army officer who was held in Cambodia. Another former POW participant was Captain Bill Robinson, US Air Force, who was held in North Vietnam for over seven years. The forum also featured Mrs. Anne Purcell, wife of Colonel Ben Purcell, who spoke about her experience of raising five children while working diligently through the National League of Families for the release of her husband. The fourth forum panelist was Joy Purcell, who is the youngest of the Purcell children. She related her experience as a child in not knowing the fate of her father and in adjusting to his return – a person she did not know. Dr. Robins asked insightful questions of the participants to a crowd of more 300 people.
Friday, September 15th, started with a moving tribute to the POW participants. Some 110 motorcycles from Rolling Thunder escorted the former POWs and their families in a solemn motorcade from Andersonville to the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University – a distance of 12 miles. Rolling Thunder is a group of motorcycle riders who are advocates for a full accounting of all those still missing in action. The escort was a prelude to the convocation at the Georgia Southwestern State University, attended by many of the university students along with area high school students and people from the community. University president Michael Hanes welcomed students and read the official proclamation for the day, issued by the governor of Georgia. The principal speaker was Colonel Purcell, who gave a powerful presentation about his experience in captivity, including torture, attempted escapes, his relationships with guards, and his release. He credited the undying love of his family along with his faith with allowing him to endure and return with honor. There were 600 in attendance at this event. Both the forum and convocation were funded by the Andersonville Trust, which is an endowment fund that supports park programs. The trust is maintained by the Friends of Andersonville.
Later on Friday, the park opened a new exhibit at the National Prisoner of War Museum. The new permanent exhibit, called “Who Is A POW?”, poses the question that has plagued the US military since the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War a controversy ensued over the treatment of captured black Union soldiers who the Confederate government intended to treat as escaped slaves. During the Vietnam War, captured American flyers were told they were not POWs and not entitled to treatment as prescribed under the Geneva Convention because the United States government had not issued a declaration of war as prescribed in the Constitution. These and other issues are examined in the exhibit. On hand for the opening were a number of former POWs, who were given the honor of cutting the ribbon along with 150 park visitors. The exhibit was designed and fabricated by Malone Design/Fabrication and funded by Eastern National and donations to the park. Ranger Joan Stibitz coordinated the two year process of developing the new display. The exhibit raises many timely questions as our government grapples with questions related to the status of captives currently being held in connection with the war on terrorism.
Finally, on Saturday, September 16th, Rolling Thunder held a memorial service at Andersonville National Cemetery. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the group, the cemetery was lined with 200 American flags proudly displayed for the event. The program was attended by 200 members of the motorcycle club and park visitors.
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