News-Info-Alerts

Re: How Many Names

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: November 10, 2002

"Memorial balloons tell story of POW/MIAs
By GARY PULEO, Times Herald Staff November 11, 2002

WEST NORRITON - How many names of prisoners of war and men missing in action does it take to make us remember?

The answer was blowing in the wind on Sunday afternoon, as 255 black balloons were released into the gray November sky, each bearing the name of a POW/MIA from Pennsylvania.

Inside each balloon was a brief biography of one of the service men.

In the eyes of whoever happened to stumble upon the remnants of the biodegradable inflated material, the soldier's story would necessarily be limited to name, rank and hometown.

But sometimes you need to make your memorials where you can, according to Janet Gratz, chairwoman of the Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 Pennsylvania POW/MIA Balloon Launch.

Gratz knew that everything was up in the air from here on out, that the balloons could come down anywhere.
In the four years she's been managing the launches, she's gotten feedback via phone calls and e-mails from New Jersey, Vermont, Ohio, Massachusetts.

Even Canada.

"The guy was walking in the woods in Canada and he found it laying there," recalled the Norristown resident. "He ID'ed the biography that was in there, that's how I knew that he wasn't just pulling my leg."

Sunday's launch harmonized with the dedication of a plaque presented to the township by Rolling Thunder.
"It's recognition of veterans from all wars," explained member Mark Amato.

"The township has been good to us," he said, glancing at the veterans monument that adorns the front walk of the township building.

"That's one of the few memorials that recognizes all veterans, where most you find are specific to a particular war."
In accepting the plaque, Mike Vereb, president of West Norriton Board of Commissioners, thanked Rolling Thunder "not only for today, but for all the events that come through the township," while using the occasion for a timely observation that the ceremony coincided with "reports of a quarter million service people preparing to invade Iraq if necessary."

Acknowledging notable attendees, including state Sen.-elect John Rafferty, Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 New Jersey, and World War II veterans Gus Interrante and Edward Paul of Norristown, Gratz evoked the memory of over 80,000 service men who never returned home.

"Of those, 1,903 are from Vietnam," she noted.

These men were not met with open arms in the manner of their World War I and World War II predecessors, she reminded the crowd of about 200.

"The men of Vietnam didn't have that luxury. But today we want to remember all of them."
Her prayer, she allowed, is that the children in the crowd would not have to hold a similar ceremony when they reached her age.

"I'm hoping that all 255 black balloons will have been acknowledged that they were found, and that somehow, someway all of our POW/MIA's will one day be returned."

Gary Puleo can be reached at gpuleo@timesherald.com, or at 610-272-2500, ext. 207.

©The Times Herald 2002"