News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Ex-POW News

Date: April 03, 2001

From Am Ex-POWs -

"As of January 1, 2001 there were 46,417 POWs alive."

"The Japanese Imperial Army Disclosure Act became law as part of the Intelligence Appropriation Act for the Fiscal Year 2001. The declassification legislation was the first of its kind resulting from intense support by the Asian American community and veteran groups throughout the country for the last two years. The legislation aims to declassify and release Japanese wartime records kept in at various federal agencies since the end of WW II and to make them available to the public. Researchers and historians believe that the disclosure will help shed much light on many historical facts hidden for more than fifty-five years. The Japanese Imperial Army Disclosure Act was authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in the Senate and Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA49) in the House with strong bipartisan support. “The legislation I introduced is eagerly sought by a large number of Californians who believe that there is an effort to keep information about possible atrocities and experiments with poisonous gas and germ warfare from the public record.” Sen. Feinstein commented: “One of my most important goals in the Senate is to see the development of a Pacific Rim community that is peaceful and stable. I have worked toward this end for over twenty years. I introduced this legislation to try to heal wounds that still remain.” Rep. Bilbray echoed the same sentiment in his public remarks."

Reunions and Commemorations -

MAY 3 - 6, 2001, 17B Annual Reunion will be held at the Red Lion-Hanalei Hotel, San Diego, CA. For more information, contact: Ralph E. Moulis Commander    randpmoulis@iopener.net

May 9-13, 2001, STALAG LUFT III Reunion, Houston, TX. If not already contacted and are interested, call or write Tom Thomas, 1607 E. Willow, Wheaton, IL 60187. 630-668-0215; or Bob Weinberg, 2229 Rock Creek Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028. 830-257-4643.

May 10-12, 2001, Annual Reunion of the Philippine Scouts and the 59th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor. It will be held at the Villa Hotel, San Mateo, CA. For information, contact National President Joe Aquino, 650-873-5272; or Chairman Del Pahed 415-239-4248.

May 10-13, 2001, Zittau Survivors of WW2 German POW Work Camp, reunion at Pigeon Forge, TN. For information, contact Clifford Austin, 125 S. Maple St., Vergennes, VT 05491; 802-877-3451. e-mail vcysally@aol.com.

May 23-25, 2001, 4th Marine Regiment (Corregidor-Bataan) reunion, St. Louis, MO. For information, write Pat Hitchcock, 195 Windemere Circle, Jackson, TN 38305.

May 27, 2001, A Tiger Survivors plaque will be dedicated at 11 a.m., Andersonville Historic Site. The Tiger Survivors are a group of former prisoners of war from the Korean War who were captured between 29 June 1950 and 26 July 1950. Army Retired Master Sergeant Joseph Gomez will be in charge of the dedication. The Tiger Survivors was founded in 1970 by Shorty Estabrook. For more information, contact Shorty at (909) 600-7222. E-mail: tigersurvivors@ix.netcom.com.

Aug. 25-28, 2001, 38th Annual Reunion for Survivors of Bataan-Corregidor and other Former Prisoners of War of the Far East. Held again at the Fontana Village. For information, 828-479-6205; reservations, call 800-849-2258.

Sept. 5 - 16 , 2001 -  Stalag Luft I Reunion in Barth, Germany  and the POW Honors Banquet to be held at Klessheim Palace in Salzburg, Austria on September 14, 2001.  All former POWs and/or next of kin are invited.   Click here for more information or call 1-800-331-2626 or email  TrvlDsgns@aol.com.   

Sept. 5 - 16, 2001 - Stalag Luft III,  Stalag Luft IV,  Stalag13-D,  Stalag 7-A or  Stalag XVII-B  POW Reunions in Germany and the POW Honors Banquet to be held  at Klessheim Palace in Salzburg, Austria on September 14, 2001. All former POWs and/or next of kin are invited.   Click here for more information or call 1-800-331-2626 or e-mail Ellis Gibson at TrvlDsgns@aol.com

Sept.  7 - 8,  2001. Conference for Former POWs of Stalag Luft I at Barth, Germany. For more about the program contact me, please. Helga Radau.helga.radau@web.de

October  4-6, 2001 -  National Convention for American Ex-Prisoners of War will be in Tucson, Arizona. Banquet is on the 6th.  Board of Directors will meet on 3rd and 7th. The hotel is the Presidio Plaza Hotel, soon to be Radisson in Tucson City Center,  181 W. Broadway.  Phone [520] 624-8711.