Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center to hold annual POW/MIA Recognition Day event

WALLA WALLA—On Friday, September 20, the public, Veterans, and their families, are invited to come and honor former POWs and remember the MIAs for Walla Walla VA’s annual POW/MIA Recognition Day event at the Walla Walla Veterans Administration at 77 WainWright Drive. 

The colors will be presented by the Washington State Penitentiary Honor Guard at the beginning of the ceremony, and Walla Walla VA’s Associate Director for Operations, Mr. Ray Crawford, will provide opening comments. This year’s special guest speaker is Mr. Robert Brudno, whose brother, Alan Brudno, an Air Force F-4 Phantom pilot, was shot down over North Vietnam. Robert will share how he and his family’s lives were changed forever as a result.

A special feature of this remembrance event is the Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony. A small table is placed in a prominent area. This “empty table” is a way of symbolizing the fact that POW/MIA, or ‘brothers’ are missing from the gathering. The lonely table honors their memory and their sacrifice. The table set for one is small – symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors. To close the ceremony, an honor guard performs Amazing Grace as a folded flag is placed on the table.

After the event Walla Walla VA’s Voluntary Service will provide a light lunch, cake and drinks.