POW/MIA Chair Dedicated At Montgomery County Courthouse

POW/MIA Day was Friday, September 16, and the Montgomery County Commissioners honored the day by dedicating a chair on Montgomery County Courthouse grounds.

Commissioners were joined by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 25, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 349, and American Legion 901 at a ceremony to recognize the day. DAV and VVA donated the chair.

“The dedication of the POW/MIA chair is a way for us to recognize, remember, and honor our service men and women, especially those who were prisoners of war or missing in action, and reflect on their sacrifice for our County and our Country,” said Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair Josh Shapiro. “This chair from our local chapter of Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America reminds us not only of those who we have lost or who went missing in service to our country, but also of our obligation to honor our veterans when they return home.”

The “honor chair” has become a common fixture at non-veteran organization facilities as a way to show support for POW/MIAs, a press release from the county states.

The empty chairs represent Americans who were or are missing from each of the services – Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard – and civilians, all with us in spirit. The new POW/MIA chair, donated by DAV Chapter 25 and VVA 349, will remain on display next to the grand staircase in the Montgomery County Courthouse as a permanent memorial, according to the county.

“This chair, which we are donating, is a symbol of the great sacrifices made by those who have served our country,” said Bill Keyes, Commander of DAV 25 and Vice President of VVA 349. “Many lost their lives or were missing in action and many others returned home broken in body and mind. We can never forget their service, never forget their sacrifice, and never forget our obligation to embrace our veterans, thank them for their service, and support them with respect, compassion, and understanding. We hope that the dedication of the POW/MIA chair will serve to honor our POW/MIAs and their families each and every day.”

Image via POW/MIA Day.