News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update Line

Date: February 20, 2002

"Update Line
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: According to the Department of Defense, there are now 1,942 Americans still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of air Force COL William C. Coltman of PA, missing in Laos since September 29, 1972, were jointly recovered and repatriated on August 28, 2000. The remains of LtCol Lawrence G. Evert, USAF, from WY, missing since November 8, 1967, were jointly recovered during successive field operations beginning February 9, 2000. The remains of Navy LT Gene R. Gollahon of OH, missing in Vietnam since August 13, 1965, were jointly recovered April 26, 2000. The remains of Army Jon E. Swanson of CO and S/SGT Larry G. Harrison of NC, both Killed-in-Action/Body-Not Recovered February 26, 1971, were jointly recovered in Cambodia on July 1, 1992. In addition, one Air Force officer, previously missing in North Vietnam, was accounted for through identification of remains recovered during several field operations beginning in January, 1997. No public announcement has yet been made, though it is hoped that will soon occur. Of the total unaccounted for, 1,464 are in Vietnam, 410 in Laos, 60 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of all Vietnam War missing were lost in Vietnam or areas under its wartime control.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ADDRESSES NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER POW/MIA BREAKFAST: Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz was the keynote speaker at the February 7th POW/MIA Breakfast hosted by Jerry Jennings, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs. His remarks sent strong signals to the countries in which Americans are still missing by stating, "I ask the leaders of those nations in which our men are still missing to respond to our appeals. Their cooperation will be recognized and appreciated by a grateful American nation. For despite the differences that may exist, families who endure uncertainty about a missing loved one share a burden that can end only with answers." Secretary Wolfowitz's long-standing commitment is well known, and deeply appreciated by the League.

US TEAM IN LAOS FOR JOINT FIELD OPERATIONS: US personnel from JTF-FA, CILHI and DIA's Stony Beach Team have recently begun a 30-day period of joint operations in several Lao provinces. The field investigations and recoveries are scheduled to conclude on March 12th. Another US team was recently in Laos to work with Lao personnel in developing a successful unilateral Lao Oral History Program. This effort, long a League priority, offers promise in developing leads from sources not yet known to US interviewers.

JOINT OPERATIONS IN VIETNAM: A team of 95 US personnel from the JTF-FA, CILHI and Stony Beach concluded joint field operations on in Vietnam on February 5th. The operations consisted of six recovery teams and one investigation team, operating for a period of approximately 30 days in 8 provinces of Central Vietnam. The joint teams planned to investigate as many as 29 incidents and conduct recoveries on 6 cases.

Technical talks will be held in Hanoi on February 28th, and an assessment of operations over the past year will take place on March 1st. BG Steve Redmann, USAF, Commander of the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting, will lead a US delegation comprised of other JTF representatives, plus DPMO, CILHI and DIA.

CAMBODIA & US CONDUCTING FIELD OPERATIONS: US and Cambodian officials began conducting full-scale joint operations on February 14th. Several cases are to be investigated and others are scheduled for excavation. Cambodian officials are currently involved in a unilateral plan of investigations that was proposed by the Cambodian government and is being supported by the United States. The League welcomes this initiative to assist in accounting for our missing men.

LEAGUE REGIONAL MEETINGS SCHEDULED: League members and friends are invited to attend two upcoming regional meetings. The Region IV and V meeting will be held in Columbus, Ohio, on April 6th. Region IV includes OH, IN, MI, WI and MN; Region V includes IL, MO, IA, KS, NE, SD and ND. Registration forms and information will be sent to all League members and associate members. Further information can be obtained by calling Region IV Coordinator Liz Flick at 614-451-2405.

The Regions II and III meeting will be held in Newport, Rhode Island, on May 3-4th. Registration forms will also be sent out for this meeting, and further information can be obtained by calling Region III Coordinator Maureen Dunn at 781-961-2110.

UPDATE LINE TO BE RESTORED BY END OF FEBRUARY: Due to a breakdown of old equipment, and the lack of availability of a replacement device, automated service will be restored shortly.

LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED: The League's 33rd Annual Meeting will be held June 19-22nd, 2002, at the Crystal City DoubleTree Hotel in Arlington, VA. Registration and reservation forms will be distributed to all League members by mail and available by request to the League office.

THE LEAGUE HAS MOVED: The new League office location is 1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 170, Arlington, VA 22201. It is not yet completed, but is open on a limited basis, hoping to be fully functional by the end of January.

POW/MIA car window decals are available at a cost of $20 per 100 by sending a check to the League. POW/MIA lapel pins are also available at $3 each or 2/$5, also by sending a check to the League office. For added information on any subject, please contact the League's web site at www.pow-miafamilies.org or call the national office at 703-465-7432. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message and your call will be returned.

The National League of Families of
American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
1005 North Glebe Road
Suite 170
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(TEL) 703-465-7432
Federal Tax ID #23-7071242"