Pickford Veterans Day Ceremony Focuses on Prisoners of War, Missing in Action Soldiers
By Amy Polk

The color guard serving at Pickford's Veterans Day service Friday, November 9, included (from left) American Legion and AMVETS members Jim Miller, Ray Wojnaroski, Chuck Wiggins, Milt McCord (partially obscured by flag), Dale Johnson (behind the flag), and Jim Farero.

A small table covered with a white tablecloth and a table setting set for one greeted students and staff as they entered the Pickford Public Schools gymnasium Friday, November 9.

The table is empty, Pickford veteran John Hillock told the crowd, to symbolize the military service men and women who remain unaccounted for. The table is a symbol of waiting: for the return of the soldier, or for word of their fate.

"This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst," Mr. Hillock said. "They are commonly called POWs or MIAs. We call them 'brothers.'"

Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) service members were honored at this year's Pickford Veterans Day service Friday, where people from the surrounding community joined the school in celebrating the retired military service personnel who put their lives on the line to protect the country. Pickford's American Legion Post 323 organized this year's service, and invited local veterans organizations to join. The Bender-Johnson AMVETS of Raber Post 79 participated in the Friday service, marched, and carried flags with American Legion members. The Pickford American Legion is led by David Spencer, and has 70 members. The Bender- Johnson AMVETS have about 60 members led by Bob Buchanan.

At left: Pickford American Legion Post 323 Commander Dave Spencer presented savings bonds to essay contest winners Katie Raynard (left) and Cheyenne Cline. Mr. Spencer is also the Veterans Service Officer for the Eastern Upper Peninsula. He was appointed October 18 as the National Deputy Chief of Staff to Commander of the Nation for the Disabled American Veterans.

The American Legion paid special attention to a sometimes overlooked group of veterans: those who are unaccounted for because they went missing while in active duty, and those who were or remain prisoners of war.

Pickford Elementary students say the Pledge of Allegiance during the Pickford Veterans Day service Friday, November 9.

During his address to the audience, Mr. Hillock explained the symbolism of the table, which is small to symbolize the "frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors." The white tablecloth symbolizes purity of intentions to answer the call to arms. A single red rose in a vase on the table is a reminder of the families and loved ones who wait, and salt on a plate is a symbol of their tears. A glass turned over on the table reminds that the missing soldiers "cannot toast with us," Mr. Hillock said, and a slice of lemon on the plate "reminds us of their bitter fate."

"The chair is empty. They are not here," Mr. Hillock said.

American Legion Post 323 Commander and Veterans Service Officer David Spencer recognized two local veterans, Blain Blair and Lewis "Junior" Harrison, who were held as prisoners of war in camps during World War II.

The men are two of 740 Pickford area veterans whose names are now listed on a wall at the Pickford Historical Museum on Main Street. They represent people who served in wars from the Civil War to the present.

"Lest we forget, our active duty veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan continue the tradition of service and sacrifice as we speak," Mr. Spencer said. "Remember them in your prayers, and honor them with your thanks."

Approximately 54 Michigan soldiers who served in the Vietnam War remain missing, Mr. Spencer said, and nationwide 1,787 Vietnam War veterans are still missing.

In the spirit of remembering the missing soldiers, the American Legion hosted an essay contest for Pickford students. The assignment was to write a letter to a prisoner of war. Freshman Katie Raynard won second place with her letter to an Iraq War prisoner, in which she compares prisoners of war to "super heroes."

"Super heroes are loyal, brave, courageous, dedicated, and diligent, which is what you are, too. Loyalty is a devotion to one's work and lifestyle," Miss Raynard wrote. "Super heroes avoid taking days off from their work, and stay devoted to what they do, because the enemy will attack if super heroes are not around. Bravery and being courageous are synonyms to heroism. Super heroes cannot be scared when fighting evil. They must be brave and put their whole heart and effort into what they do. These same responsibilities have to be carried out in your life. When battles come, the choice to back down and go home does not exist. All that can be done is marching forward and onward. Dedication involves holding commitments and following through with them. When super heroes go out on a mission, they cannot turn around and go home because they get tired. They have to stay going until the battle is over. This is also what you have to do. If a battle is only half fought, the enemy is not conquered."

First place essay winner Cheyenne Cline, a junior at Pickford High, wrote to her uncle Lyle Swatzski, who was serving in World War II at the time the Japanese gained control of Manila Bay in 1942, when thousands of American soldiers and civilians were held by the Japanese as prisoners of war. The bay was recaptured by United States forces in 1945, and the prisoners were released. Miss Cline's essay follows this story.

Mr. Spencer presented the two essay writers with savings bonds from the American Legion.

Pickford Public Schools band played patriotic music, including "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Taps" during the service.

First Place Essay

Dear Uncle Lyle,

Recently I've been speaking with my father about his side of the family. In our conversations, your name has come up many times. I know that I have never met you personally, but I have heard many things about you that make me want to meet you one day. Learning you were a prisoner of war during World War II has made me appreciate soldiers like you to a higher degree. It's amazing the sacrifices people like you make each and every day for the sake of our country. I'd like to take this time to show my appreciation for all you have done for others.

Thank you so much for putting everything you ever had aside to fight for our country. I cannot even fathom what you went through while suffering as a prisoner of war. Serving in the United States Navy, you were left to fight with the Army on a small island off of Manila Bay, while people took your spot in getting to safety. You sacrificed your life to get the United States officers, politicians, and key people in the war to escape the horrible conditions. It's astounding to realize that I have family members in the country I live in who are willing to sacrifice their lives for others. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me, my family, my friends, my teachers, my acquaintances, and the whole United States. How can someone such as yourself be able to leave your family and go to war? It must have been horribly devastating to you and your family to know that each and every day you might have not been coming home. I cannot imagine the stress it must have put you through.

Being a human sacrifice like yourself deserves the utmost respect - more respect and admiration than I could ever show by writing you this letter. I'm sure you'll never be able to understand how much you mean to everyone. I hope people all over the world never underestimate the things you have done for our country. Although there are many prisoners of war, I believe that each and every one of you deserves credit for even taking the risk of leaving their family and maybe, one day, not coming home. I would never have been able to go through the things you did, so once again, I'd like to thank you for being brave and willing to give your life.

Thank you so much,

Cheyenne Cline