| News-Info-Alerts |
Re: Fort Bliss Honors the Missing
To: ALL
From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci
(POW-MIA InterNetwork)
Date: September 25, 2002
"Fort Bliss ceremony honors POWs, still missing
Louie Gilot El Paso Times
POW-MIA statistics
* 140,000 U.S. soldiers received the Medal of Honor for Prisoners of War.
* 1,905 American soldiers are still missing and unaccounted for. (from SEA)
In March 1944, El Pasoan William Leonard went to England with the 35th Infantry Division. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge on Jan. 3, 1945.
The Germans forced him into prison camps, first Stalag 4B, then Lazarett 4G, in an area that was bombed day and night by the Allies. In the freezing temperatures, Leonard came down with pneumonia.
"It's probably what saved me. They took me to the hospital, and there you didn't have to work and you'd get a potato a day. And you didn't have to melt snow for water," he said.
He was liberated April 19, 1945, by the 69th Infantry.
"I might be mistaken but it seemed that the sun came out for the first time that day," he said.
Leonard and other prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action were honored Monday afternoon during the annual retreat ceremony at Fort Bliss' Memorial Circle.
Since the Medal of Honor for Prisoners of War was created in 1985, it has been awarded to 140,000 soldiers.
As of Aug. 13 this year, 1,905 Americans are still missing and unaccounted for, more than 90 percent of them in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia where Vietnamese forces operated during that war, according to Department of Defense figures.
"Their stories of courage under fire and survival against all odds serve as a constant reminder that freedom does indeed come with a price," Fort Bliss Commander Maj. Gen. Stanley Green said. "This ceremony serves to ensure proper place in history for their sacrifices."
Sgt. Susan Kinmon was one of about 150 soldiers and a few veterans in attendance at the ceremony.
She recently finished a tour of duty in Southwest Asia with the 3-2 Air Defense Artillery of the 31st ADA Brigade. She said Leonard's tale is frightening. It is also completely foreign to her generation's Army, she said.
"We fight a different type of war now. We shoot from miles away. They had it a lot harder back then," she said.
Leonard addressed the audience Monday, reading from prepared notes.
"Being denied freedom and subjected to the indignities of the enemy is a trauma that endures forever. Those are sacrifices we can never repay. God bless all these GIs, all these young fellows. And God bless America."
Louie Gilot may be reached at lgilot@elpasotimes.com
Copyright © 2001 El Paso Times. "
Peruse More InterNetwork Notices
Peruse Older InterNetwork Notices
DISCLAIMER: The content of this message is the sole responsibility of the originator. Posting of this message to the POW-MIA InterNetwork© does not show AII POW-MIA endorsement. It is provided so you may make an informed decision. AIIPOWMIAI is not associated in any capacity with any United States Government agency or entity, nor with any non-governmental organization.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only. [Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ]
AII POW-MIA does not endorse any offsite material, organization or individual. For information purposes only.
The opinions expressed on this site are those of
Advocacy and Intelligence Index for Prisoners of War - Missing in Action.
If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail us at the above address.
Archive ©AII POW-MIA