NEWSLETTER/REVIEW OF 2004
March 22, 2005
POW/MIAs Ð VIETNAM WAR: According to Defense POW/MIA Office statistics, there are still 1,836 Americans listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War Ð 1,399 in Vietnam, 375 in Laos, 55 in Cambodia and 7 in PRC territorial waters. Identification of others has been completed; however, no announcement is made until designated officials have presented the ID package to the family. Following are the names of US personnel who have been accounted for since the LeagueÕs 35th Annual Meeting. To each family, the League extends understanding and the hope that this final answer brings long awaited peace of mind.
Second Lieutenant Heinz Ahlmeyer, USMC, KIA/BNR 5/10/67, SVN, RR 5/27/03
Chief Warrant Officer (3) Randolph J. Ard, USA, MIA 3/7//71, LA, RR 10/4/04
Colonel Sheldon J. Burnett, USA, MIA 3/7/71, LA, RR 10/4/04
Major James L. Carter, USAF, MIA 2/3/66, SVN, RR 5/19/03
Commander Thomas E. Dunlop, USN, MIA 4/6/72, NVN, RR 5/27/03
Captain Carl E. Long, USMC, KIA/BNR 12/20/69, SVN, RR 12/16/92
Colonel Peter Frederick, USAF, MIA 3-15-67, NVN, RR 4-20-04
SGM Kenneth Hanna, USA, MIA 2/7/68, SVN, RR 1/15/04
SGM Charles Lindewald, USA, MIA 2-7-68, SVN, RR 1/15/04
Lieutenant Colonel Russell D. Martin, USAF, MIA 6/3/66, LA, RR 6/20/95
First Lieutenant Donald J. Matocha, USMC, KIA/BNR 4/5/68, SVN, RR 5/5/23/04
HM3 Malcolm T. Miller, USN, KIA/BNR 5/10/67, SVN, RR 5/27/03
Lieutenant Commander Harry S. Mossman, USN, MIA 8/20/72, NVN, RR 1/15/04
Chief Master Sergeant Edward M. Parsley, USAF, MIA 3/2/66, SVN, RR 5/1/03
SGT Joseph Pietrzak, USA, KIA/BNR 2/10/71, SVN, RR 6/7/94
Captain David J. Phillips, Jr., USAF, KIA/BNR 7-3-66, SVN, RR 4-20-04
Warrant Officer 1st Class Mark J. Robertson, USA, KIA/BNR 2/10/71, RR 5/15/94
Major Robert H. Schuler, USAF, MIA 10-15-65, NVN, RR 2/9/01
Lance Corporal Samuel A. Sharp, USMC, KIA/BNR 5/10/67, SVN, RR 5/27/03
Sergeant James N. Tycz, USMC, KIA/BNR 5/10/67, SVN, RR 5/27/03.
Lieutenant Commander Forrest G. Trembley, USN, MIA 8/21/67, CH, RR 10/14/99
Chief Master Sergeant Therman M. Waller, USAF, MIA 2/3/66, SVN, RR 5/19/03
SECRETARY OF STATE OUTLINES CRITERIA FOR VIETNAM'S POWMIA COOPERATION: On September 7th, then Secretary of State Colin L. Powell issued the formal determination required by Public Law No. 108-199, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004. This determination provides crucial reinforcement of President Bush's March 20, 2002, certification defining the need for unilateral actions by Vietnam that, if taken, would actually constitute serious cooperation. In addition to the Congressionally-required language certifying that Vietnam is "fully cooperating in good faith," the 2004 determination stated (emphasis added):
"As we look to further strengthen cooperation, I look forward to Vietnam's implementation of its June 2004 commitment to increase U.S. access to POW/MIA-related information in its archives. I also urge Vietnam to improve tangibly its unilateral provision of POW/MIA-related documents and records, focused initially on archival data pertaining to Americans captured, missing or killed in areas of Laos and Cambodia under wartime Vietnamese control. Vietnam should also focus greater attention on locating and providing information on discrepancy cases, with priority on those last known alive in captivity or in immediate proximity to capture, and to locating and repatriating the remains of those who died while in Vietnamese control that have not yet been returned.
"Finally, in making this determination, I wish to reaffirm my continuing personal commitment to the entire POW/MIA community, especially to the immediate families, relatives, friends and supporters of these brave individuals, and to reconfirm that achieving the fullest possible accounting of our prisoners of war and missing in action remains one of the most important priorities in our relations with Vietnam."Ê
LEAGUE MEETS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE: On September 14th, League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths, Treasurer/Board Member Karen J. McManus and Policy Adviser Richard T. Childress met with Secretary of State Colin Powell. The purpose was to review the level of cooperation by Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and to reinforce constructive efforts of the US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs and its US staff, the Joint Commission Support Directorate (JCSD). Former Secretary Powell and his team were very supportive and involved in POW/MIA initiatives, especially our US Ambassadors in the three Indochina countries. Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, recipient of a League Award during the Reagan Administration, personally provided a copy of Secretary PowellÕs determination to Vietnamese Trade Minister Vu Khoang the next week.
LEAGUE ADVISERS NAMED: Recently retired Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Matthew P. Daley accepted the Board of Directors' unanimous invitation to serve as a policy adviser to the League, joining Richard T. Childress in that capacity. Both are recognized specialists on Asian affairs, and the League is most grateful for the dedication and commitment to the issue they have shown over many years.
BG Steven J. Redmann, USAF (Ret), has also accepted our invitation to serve as adviser, in this instance due to his working familiarity with in-country operations during his two-year tenure as Commander, Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA), a position he held until the merger in 2003 with the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) to become the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC). General Redmann's commitment to the issue was demonstrated repeatedly as he learned of controversial practices and sought to change them.
The League will soon ask other specialists to join Mr. Childress, Mr. Daley and General Redmann on a League Advisory Board, comprised of respected individuals committed to achieving the League's objectives and recognize the importance to our nation of the principles we represent.
POLICY FLAWS, POWER PLAYS & A DIFFICULT DECISION
The League has traditionally worked quietly and constructively on issues related to our accounting objectives with government officials, unless and until all such attempts have been exhausted. This approach has well-served the issue; public divisiveness erodes the strategic importance of a united domestic front to support policy approaches to other countries holding the answers. For well over a year, the League has continued to try to follow this philosophy; however, it became obvious that Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Jerry Jennings had become so destructive to the issue Ð and so uncompromising in his unending quest to control everything Ð that there was no choice but action by the League Board of Directors.
The Board took action on February 14th in a unanimous vote of NO CONFIDENCE in DASD Jennings and have since worked to seek his removal as DASD for POW/MIA Affairs, Director of the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) and as US Chairman of the US-Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) on POW/MIA Affairs. The League deeply regrets the need for this action and is sorely disappointed that optimism when Mr. Jennings was appointed could be completely destroyed within the last 12-18 months.
The policy concerns can be found under many of the individual topics in this newsletter, plus VIETNAM LESSONS NEVER LEARNED, 2004 End-of-Year Policy Assessment, written by League Policy Adviser Richard Childress. Please read it very carefully and closely. The tortured journey that led the Board to take this unprecedented action also related to his attempts to control the League annual meeting and, essentially, eliminate policy input on the issue from the League and other NGOÕs (Non-Government Organizations).
Just over a year ago, the DASD Jennings-directed, DPMO-inflicted nightmare of harassment and attempts at intimidation of the League began, leading up to last June's 35th Annual Meeting. At Mr. JenningsÕs insistence, a League-DPMO "co-sponsorship agreement" was said to be required for DoD participation. DPMO even insisted on determining the entire agenda for what they termed DPMO-hosted "annual government briefings," rather than briefings presented at the League's annual meeting. Under this misnomer, DPMO cited a selected ethics regulation as a guise to control all DoD involvement and the agenda of all sessions in which DoD officials make presentations. In reality, COIN Assist transportation, authorized by Congress since 1983 for the families to attend the League annual meeting, was used by DPMO as virtual blackmail to coerce League agreement.
As is now obvious, the control Mr. Jennings sought in 2004 was not enough; only three weeks after the 35th Annual Meeting, DPMO again started the now-familiar pattern of harassment. At Mr. Jennings direction, DPMO staff sent misleading, distorted and even false letters to the League, one after another, all designed to put DPMO in complete control of this year's annual meeting. This time, DPMO wanted to select the hotel, set the date, and decide the agenda. Again, DPMO cited "legal reasons" that don't actually apply to accepting a League invitation to participate in a non-government event or conference. (Some of these letters, using the signature block of Dr. Kaye Whitley, were even signed in her name, but without her knowledge.) The control being sought was unacceptable for the League Ð a private, nonprofit, 501{c}3 humanitarian organization Ð as was the significantly greater cost to the families for DPMO-arranged hotel accommodations.
No matter what compromise the League suggested, nothing would suit Mr. Jennings except total control. In the end, while discussions were ongoing and behind the back of the DPMO official then responsible, senior Director for Communications Dr. Kaye Whitley, Mr. Jennings directed DPMO staff to contract at a separate hotel in Crystal City, a day earlier than the League meeting and at much greater expense for the families. Each letter and step to try to undercut the League was directed by Mr. Jennings and his closest aides, Chief of Staff Mel Richmond and Executive Director John Unangst, despite their knowledge of the League's long-held contract with the Hilton for 2005 and 2006. Mr. Jennings' personal involvement in these actions was confirmed by DPMO Chief of Staff Mel Richmond during a September 13th meeting with League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, Treasurer Karen McManus and Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths.
Recently, Mr. Jennings sent a letter to all Vietnam War POW/MIA families for whom the US Government has an address, notifying them of the DPMO-hosted "annual government briefings" at the DoubleTree Hotel, noting that their schedule begins on June 15th, a day earlier than the League meeting. This action would require DoD to pay a significant amount for meeting space Ð routinely provided at no cost by the League. It would also require busing our aging family members between hotels and would seriously complicate family member meetings with Service Casualty Officers and viewing of JPAC, CIL, LSEL and AFDIL displays. These actions are burdensome for the families and appear to be solely to accommodate Mr. Jennings' desire for control.
DPMO has now posted to its web site an article about their "annual government briefings" falsely claiming to have tried since last July to work with the League to "negotiate" compatible plans. That is not true! Many DPMO personnel confirmed that Mr. Jennings never had any intention of finding solution to what he personally has orchestrated as a "DoD" problem with the League. Mr. Jennings' ambitions don't end with control of the annual meeting, but now extend to proposing tighter control over JPAC operations, all POW/MIA-related negotiations with foreign officials, serving as sole spokesman on the issue to the families, the media, the veterans' community and Congress, controlling every aspect of the POW/MIA issue across the board.
DPMO's actions are self-defeating for them and harmful to the issue; yet, the League has patiently tried to restore balance through seemingly endless letter-exchanges and meetings. The most recent, undertaken on February 10th at the urging of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, was a meeting with Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (ASD/ISA) Peter W. Rodman. Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, Treasurer Karen McManus and Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths again represented the League. For about 45 minutes, League objections to the Jennings' policy approach and efforts to control the 36th Annual Meeting were discussed. It was very clear to League officials that Secretary Rodman has been completely misinformed Ð about the law, the League, the sequence of events and the impact on the families.
The second half of this meeting included Mr. Jennings and his two closest aides (Richmond and Unangst), plus DPMO General Counsel Jim Gravelle. The anger, hostility and disdain that Mr. Jennings demonstrated toward the families during this meeting could not be disguised. Surprisingly, even to Richmond and Gravelle, Mr. Jennings dismissed as "irrelevant" Congressional intent in authorizing COIN Assist. Unless reversed by higher DoD authority, Mr. Jennings will not alter DPMO's current approach to the issue, the League, the 36th Annual Meeting or beyond. Adrian Cronauer, Mr. Jennings' surrogate for public speaking and the only other political appointee in DPMO, but not present for the meeting, is now asserting that League officials "stormed out" of the meeting with Secretary Rodman. There are many witnesses, including Mr. Rodman's personal assistant and military assistant, that such did not occur, but the possibility that the truth would become known doesn't seem to prevent the increasing tempo of lies and distortions coming from DPMO, as directed by Mr. Jennings.
When the Reagan Administration urged Congress to reinstate COIN Assist in 1983, it was to bring family members to "the annual meeting of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia." The League agreed to open our annual meetings to all family members, regardless of membership, and has done this for more than two decades. The legislation was made generic in late 2001 for Fiscal Year 2002, authorizing travel for the Korean War/Cold War and Persian Gulf War families.
The language was amended to read "the annual meetings" of the affected families. The internal DPMO language distorting "Congressional intention" didnÕt occur until 2003 when, under Mr. Jennings' direction, the purpose of COIN Assist was altered to attendance at "annual government briefings;" however, the law authorizing COIN Assist travel still states the purpose as attending annual meetings.
The League is the only organization with voting members comprised solely of Vietnam War families. We are eligible for donations through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), meaning we meet the highest standards and withstand extremely tough scrutiny. The League has had credibility on the issue since 1970. When pressed, DPMO personnel acknowledge these facts and don't understand or accept Mr. Jennings tactics, characterizing them as simply playing for control at the expense of the issue and the families.
This situation should never have occurred, nor should it have been necessary to elevate it to the level now engaged, but Mr. Jennings forced it. He has tried to block the League and all of the families at every policy level in DoD. After endless and fruitless attempts to reach reasonable solutions with DPMO, the League Board of Directors determined there was no choice, but to elevate the matter to higher policy levels.
The League's position and subsequent efforts to seek solutions have been conveyed to Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz, and we hope he will not leave this problem to his successor, as he moves to the World Bank Presidency. The Board of Directors of the Korea/Cold War Families of the Missing also unanimously voted NO CONFIDENCE in Mr. Jennings, and shortly thereafter, the National Alliance of Families did the same, citing the League's earlier decision and that of the Korea/Cold War families. This situation can no longer be postponed or ignored, and the ball is in DoD leadership's court.
Corrective measures require no change in DoD ethics or other regulations and are perfectly legal, despite assertions by Mr. Jennings and his DPMO headquarters staff. Further rupture of POW/MIA families' confidence can be avoided by DoD leaders taking decisive actions now.
All DoD officials, including all organizations directly involved in POW/MIA accounting matters, should be authorized to accept League invitations to brief the families at our 36th Annual Meeting, as occurred legally for over three decades, through 2004.
COIN Assist transportation should be provided as intended by Congress and on the same authorized basis as in past years.
Effective interagency coordination on policy should be reestablished, and a serious strategy to accomplish POW/MIA accounting objectives should be developed without further delay.
At present, policy and interagency coordination is nearly shattered, but the administration can correct this situation with more policy-level interventions with the Vietnamese and appointment of a qualified, seriously committed DPMO Director who will put his/her ego on the shelf and pursue answers based on the criteria in the President's certification to Congress.
The quality of US operations in the field, always dependant on a "host" government, has improved over time. Results achieved over the past four years would have happened even if the position of DASD had been empty. In fact, Mr. Jennings' tenure has been more destructive than helpful, especially in terms of alienating other departments, agencies and senior US and foreign officials, including regional US Ambassadors. His personal ambition, if not limited by his superiors, now threatens the effectiveness of field operations.
CALL TO ACTION
Now is a crucial time for all Ð League members, veterans and other concerned Americans Ð to take action:
Express your views NOW to Congress, DoD officials and the White House. The League can provide copies of letters already written. (Don' t worry that this would hurt your individual case; the League has assurances from all other organizations involved in the issue and they share our concerns and will continue working hard, despite DPMO.)
Contact Tom Engkilterra, League Special Projects Committee Chairman, "mailto:NJPOWMIA@yahoo.com" NJPOWMIA@yahoo.com or 908-709-9482, to see how you can help. Or email Committee members Pam Cain, "mailto:pamcain@cox.net" pamcain@cox.net, or Susie Stephens, pow.mia@juno.com.
Recruit new members, and build the League's strength by increasing our numbers.
Designate the League to receive memorial donations. Sad as is the loss of a loved one, a thoughtful contribution to help the League' efforts is meaningful for all. Seeking answers requires funding, and each donation is acknowledged by the League, with a copy to the family involved.
Sign the online Veterans Petition: Vietnam, It's Time to Move, "http://www.petitiononline.com" www.petitiononline.com, and click on the link that states Politics and Government Ð International, then scroll to the bottom of the alphabetical petition list and click on Vietnam, It's Time to Move. Follow instructions.
Pay your annual dues, plus a donation; the League is again financially strapped. We appreciate the fundraisers and individual contributions received, but it takes money to fund an effective office. Donate or pay your dues ($25 per member, per year) by sending a check or use Pay Pal and your credit card, by going to the League's web site: "http://www.pow-miafamilies.org" www.pow-miafamilies.org. If the label on your envelope doesn't say 01/01/06, you have NOT paid for this year. Pay Pal is ideal for making contributions, tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, Federal ID 23-7071242. Remember, the few cannot continue to carry the many. Think about what the League has accomplished for decades and show you care.
Attend the League's 36th Annual Meeting this year, and make your views known in person; it is a critical time for the issue. Hotel reservation forms (white) and League Registration Forms (light flue) are included in this mailing.
Invite both your Senators & your Representative to the Congressional Breakfast, to be held June 16th, 8:00 a.m., Hilton Crystal City Hotel, to kick off the annual meeting. This is fully funded by the Georgia Committee on POW/MIAs. All who register for the 36th Annual Meeting and confirm that one or more of your elected representatives will accompany you are invited at no cost. Get names of House Members at "http://www.house.gove" www.house.gov and Senators at "http://www.senate.gov" www.senate.gov. Then invite them.
Bring a high-quality items (or more than one) for the Silent Auction, again being held to help raise funds for the League, but also an excellent way to obtain interesting items, including art.
Purchase an "ad" for the 36th Annual Meeting Program, an excellent way to support the League and to honor your missing loved, or someone close to you who recently passed away. See the separate page (goldenrod) that provides all the data. Feel free to simply send in language, and weÕll get it formatted with the wonderful voluntary support of Micron Technologies.
36TH ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD JUNE 16-18TH: The date for our 36th Annual Meeting has long been set and was known at last year's annual meeting, and we already have dates for 2006. Such contracts are routinely made well in advance to ensure that family members receive the best possible room rates and that meeting rooms are adequate for requirements. The 36th Annual Meeting will be June 16-18th, at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA. Registration Forms, also available on the League's web site: "http://www.pow-miafamilies.org" www.pow-miafamilies.org, are enclosed (light blue) with this newsletter. Everyone is urged to be present this year. It is crucial to demonstrate to all interested parties Ð foreign and domestic Ð that the Vietnam War POW/MIA families have no intention of being dismissed or marginalized, despite the efforts of DASD Jerry Jennings.
Confusion on Dates/Special Tours: Since DPMO has contracted separately and announced its decision to start the "annual government briefings" on June 15th, there will continue to be confusion until such time as COIN Assist instructions and information are distributed by the Service Casualty offices. If Mr. Jennings continues DPMOÕs effort to undercut the 36th Annual Meeting, families who travel COIN Assist may need to attend briefings on the 15th to avoid being denied future transportation. If/when DPMO reverses course and authorizes accepting the League's invitation, plan to travel on Tuesday, June 14th, anyway to be available the morning of the 15th for visits to the historic State Department diplomatic reception rooms and/or the equally historic Pentagon. If you wish to be included on a special tour on Wednesday morning, June 15th, please contact the League office by phone (see letterhead) or email: "mailto:powmiafamcf@aol.com" powmiafamcf@aol.com. Regardless of travel date, stay at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, at $119.95 per night, per room, using the Hotel Reservation Form enclosed.
2005-2007 BOARD ELECTION: The League's bylaws require an election of our board of directors every two years; therefore, an election will be held before the 36th Annual meeting. Enclosed with this newsletter is an application (beige) to be a candidate in this year's election. Candidates must be League family members in good standing. For many years, those elected to serve on the Board of Directors have paid all of their own expenses associated with serving, including travel to attend quarterly meetings, accommodations, and meals.
The League's financial situation will improve, as it must to survive, but not to the level that would change the board-determined policy of paying their own expenses. Each person on seven-member Board of Directors deserves the thanks of all League members for their selfless generosity of time and money to serve the League and all of us. Please remember when you see them at our 36th Annual Meeting to thank them: Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, Vice Chairman Mark Stephensen, Secretary Sue Scott, Treasurer Karen McManus and members David Gray, Gail Innes and Phillipe Ritter. All have stated willingness to continue serving, further demonstrating their commitment to the principles the League embodies; all have served at least four years, most much longer.
CONGRESSIONAL POW/MIA CAUCUS: Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) are co-chairing a new POW/MIA Caucus in the 109th Congress. In their "Dear Colleague" seeking members, the invitation stated, "To the families of those who are still missing, we will renew our unwavering commitment and determination to obtain the fullest possible accounting for them, including their recovery or repatriation and the identification of the remains of whose who had died. Out National will not forget these heroes and we will not stop searching for our service members who are missing in action." I'm confident they also intend to pursue answers on the dedicated civilians missing as a result of service to our Nation as well. Call your Representative and ask him/her to join the POW/MIA Caucus by calling Congressman Miller's Legislative Director/Counsel Helen Walker, 202-225-4136, or email "mailto:Helen.Walker@mail.house.gov" Helen.Walker@mail.house.gov. Should you not be familiar with the name of your Representative, go to "http://www.house.gov" www.house.gov and simply put your Zip Code into the blank space.
MC HUGH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION: In late February, Representative John McHugh (R-NY) led a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Vietnam and Laos to press for answers on the POW/MIA issue. This was the first multi-member delegation focused solely on POW/MIA accounting, and we pleased that they made a specific effort to visit Laos and talk with senior officials there. US Ambassador to Laos Patricia Haslach accompanied the Congressmen and reinforced the importance of their message on the issue. In Vietnam, US Ambassador Michael Marine supported the CODEL's message in signaling the importance for Vietnam to respond to the PresidentÕs and Secretary of State's criteria for unilateral actions.
US-RUSSIA JOINT COMMISSION: Support from the Russian government for the US-Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) on POW/MIA Affairs has dropped significantly, thus administrative staff support has been reduced dramatically as well. A word from President Bush to President Putin during their talks in May to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of the war in Europe could make a tremendous difference, but the Russian government is reportedly not pleased that there is no longer a special Presidential Emissary serving as US Chairman. DASD Jennings now holds that position; from the Russians' perspective, a DASD does not carry the stature of a special Presidential Envoy, such as Ambassador Malcolm Toon, the first US Chairman.
Despite this, the League was is very pleased that Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence, has finally been formally appointed as a Commissioner and as Chairman of the Vietnam War Working Group. At the League's request, Senator Chambliss agreed some time ago to serve as the Senate Republican Commissioner, and we deeply appreciate his willingness to accept this added responsibility. He fills the vacancy left by former Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) who was defeated in a reelection bid. We are confident that Senator Chambliss will help restore and heighten the CommissionÕs profile and impact on achieving positive results. His appointment also helps ensure that Joint Commission Support Directorate (JCSD) staff will continue to fulfill Commission requirements, rather than being solely under the control of DASD Jennings and his DPMO headquarters staff. JCSD's Moscow-based field office is engaged daily, often augmented by Washington-based JCSD personnel on specific projects. Again, it is crucial that the POW/MIA Issue is NOT under total control of any person or any organization.
Over a year ago, the League requested Senate and House leaders to nominate replacements to fill the positions held by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Representative Lane Evans (D-IL). While both are Vietnam Veterans, neither has played an active role in the Commission's work, though Mr. Evans' relative inactivity is understandable due to serious illness. One Senator and one Representative, both Democrats, are urgently needed to fill US seats on the Commission. Democrat leaders should move now to appoint commissioners both able and willing to be active. The one active Congressional Commissioner has been Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX), a returned Vietnam War POW to whom we are most grateful.
Some time ago, DPMO contracted a study of the USRJC and JCSD by the Institute of Defense Analysis (IDA) that is ongoing. Many in and out of government have been interviewed as part of this study, and more interviews are planned, but the focus seems to be on whether there is sufficient progress being made by the Commission to justify its continuation and if so, what the relationship should be between DPMO and the Commission. The League's views were clearly stated: The US-Russia Commission offers great promise into long-held secrets that can help account for those still missing from the Vietnam and Korean Wars and WWII.
FOUR-PARTY TALKS HELD IN CAMBODIA: The second session of four-party POW/MIA Consultations was held in Siem Riep, Cambodia, July 28-30th, as follow-on to the talks held last year in Bangkok. Again hosted by DPMO, this year's objectives were ill-defined and shallow. As promised to the League in 1999, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen addressed the opening session to set the stage for constructive discussions, referring to his cooperation with the League since 1984. Vietnam was again unwilling, as in 2003, to commit to multilateral cooperation, other than in vague generalities, much to the dismay of Cambodian officials who were fully prepared to reach agreements that would bring more rapid results.
Dialogue is always welcome; but the four-party POW/MIA Consultations could be much more productive with serious preparation and approach by DPMO leadership, met by willingness on the part of all participants, especially Vietnam, to offer constructive solutions. Instead, Vietnam's failures seem to be repeatedly excused or dismissed by DASD Jennings, to the detriment of the issue and the serious cooperation we seek.
ACCOUNTING EFFORTS WITH CAMBODIA: On October 4th, the Commander of Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), Major General "Que" Winfield, USA, led POW/MIA talks in Cambodia. US initiatives are routinely agreed to and adopted by the Cambodian government, as they were in this instance. The primary limitation on bilateral accounting efforts in Cambodia is Vietnam's failure to provide documents on 90% of the incidents involving 55 captured and missing Americans. DIA's Stony Beach has a highly qualified specialist, working permanently from the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, who conducts ongoing investigations throughout the country with the full support of the Cambodian government and the US Ambassador. JPAC teams conduct recovery operations whenever sites are located and circumstances warrant, but JPAC personnel and resources are increasingly stretched to meet expanding, worldwide requirements. JPAC/CIL's teams recently conducted joint field operations, including investigations and recoveries, in Cambodia (32nd). At the conclusion, a repatriation ceremony was held in Phnom Penh in which US Ambassador Charlie Ray participated, again demonstrating his commitment to his fellow Vietnam War veterans and their families.
INITIATIVES WITH LAOS: DPMO and DIA's Stony Beach personnel recently began a training program for Lao officials to implement a multi-ministry Archival Research Program with Laos. Led by DPMO's senior Lao analyst, the US provided Lao officials with specific data needed to ensure the best possible approach. The training session followed POW/MIA consultations held in Vientiane last fall. This program is proceeding under DPMO's guidance, with support from Stony Beach. The 87th Joint Field Activities in Laos concluded with a repatriation ceremony at the Savannakhet Airport, following a 30-day period of operations that reportedly succeeded in recovering remains of possible US personnel at all primary sites. Twice-yearly POW/MIA Consultations were held February 26-28th in Luang Prabang, and the 88th joint operations are ongoing. Twice yearly POW/MIA Consultations in Laos were held February 26-27th; US Ambassador Patricia Haslach participated, as she did the repatriation ceremony held earlier in Savannakhet. In late August, the third DPMO-led Four Party POW/MIA Consultations will be held, this time hosted by the Lao in Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.
The League is generally pleased with joint operations in Laos, especially the greater flexibility that the Lao are permitting, and looks forward to results from the archival research initiative. Even recognizing that Vietnam has greater ability to provide archival records on over 80% of US losses in Laos, the Lao Government Laos should be able to provide some records of its own. Some Lao documents were removed from Vientiane and taken to Hanoi "for safe-keeping" and, to our knowledge, these archival documents have never been returned to Laos despite numerous requests from the US and Laos. Vietnam has repeatedly agreed to an archival research initiative, but still has not authorized release to the US of their incident-related records on US losses in either Laos or Cambodia. This obstructionism has continued despite the President's 2002 certification and Secretary Powell's 2004 determination on unilateral actions that need to be taken. DPMO should make a solid case for unilateral Vietnamese provision of records believed to be available, especially on LKA cases in all three Indochina countries, and ensure policy level interventions are made based upon these facts.
EFFORTS WITH VIETNAM: Technical Talks with Vietnam were conducted in Hanoi at the end of January; US Ambassador Michael Marine made a strongly supportive presentation to kick off the talks. The next such session will occur in April. A repatriation ceremony was conducted on March 3rd, after a joint forensic review of remains recovered earlier. The 80th joint field operations are ongoing in Vietnam.
JPAC is now conducting a top-down review of existing agreements on US support for unilateral SRV actions. The League has long called for such a review and been critical of the "unilateral process" agreed to and implemented years ago by JTF-FA, with support from DPMO. Vietnam has repeatedly agreed to open up its archives, subsequently failing to implement commitments to permit joint access or, and more importantly, failed to take unilateral actions to provide their archival records to US officials.
The League would welcome a decision by Vietnam to unilaterally respond to the President's and Secretary of State's calls for specific actions to provide relevant records located in all official archives and locate and return remains that can't be recovered jointly in the field. The League does not appreciate or accept attempts by US officials, current or former, to re-define joint field operations as unilateral actions by Vietnam. US-provided leads investigated by SRV officials are, by definition, joint operations. Yet, in an effort to demonstrate greater SRV cooperation, former US officials changed the definition of "unilateral" incrementally to the point that today, being newly assigned, few involved in field operations are aware of the difference. The record and that definition need to be corrected for all involved.
Following a late July meeting with Vietnam Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Duc Hung, DASD Jennings reported agreement allowing US teams back into the Central Highlands region after a three-year hiatus. Though skeptical, the League welcomed this highly publicized agreement and was hopeful, but late September working-level talks again found Vietnam backing away from, or at least postponing, implementation of its commitment. Though some participants reported that local Vietnamese officials seemed willing to start work immediately in these areas with US specialists, Hanoi-based central government officials put the brakes on access by US teams, indicating it was too soon. This was predictable and DPMO leadership should have withheld praise until implementation. VietnamÕs pattern is familiar: announce agreement, receive the praise, back off, then start step-by-step negotiations for implementation.
In early October, US Navy specialists from the US Pacific Command (PACOM) and JPAC and DPMO officials participated in an effort with the Vietnamese Navy and central government authorities to find common ground and reach agreement on a safe and effective method for underwater surveys and recoveries of US incidents that occurred along the coast of Vietnam. Despite assurances by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense during their 2003 visits to the US, the Vietnamese Government is now balking at using US Navy vessels, insisting on using SRV ships, augmented by US personnel and equipment. This method was previously tried with nearly disastrous results, and all know that it is NOT the safest nor the most efficient and effective way to achieve maximum results. Unfortunately, it now appears that DASD Jennings prematurely ruled out USN vessels, and is not taking the League to push for the optimum process.
US NAVY INVOLVEMENT: In early December last year, League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths accepted the invitation of MG "Que" Winfield, Commander of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) to address the JPAC Winter Commander's Conference and meet with senior JPAC staff, as well as field operators. DPMO Chief of Staff Mel Richmond sought to reverse the invitation. Obviously under instruction, he reportedly stated to a senior officer in the US Pacific Command (PACOM) that issuing such an invitation to Mrs. Griffiths was against DPMO's policy of over a year's duration to "distance the government offices involved from the NGOs" and indicated that NGOs had become "too much involved in the governmentÕs business." Tragically, Richmond's remarks accurately reflect the views of DPMO's "leaders" toward the POW/MIA families, the League and our veteran supporters. ("NGOs" refers to the major national veterans' organizations, the League, the Korea/Cold War Families of the Missing, and all non-government organizations.)
While in Hawaii, Mrs. Griffiths met with PACOM Commander Admiral Thomas Fargo, now retired, and Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Gary Roughead. In addition to many subjects of interest, underwater accounting efforts focused on both aspects Ð the initial survey and the subsequent recovery. The League's view is that in addition to results and safety, the principles of accountability and standing behind those who serve should be considered. Two US Navy warships made official port calls in Vietnam in 2004; therefore, it is illogical to most Americans that US Navy assets should be prevented from conducting this humanitarian mission.
The League has long supported improving military-to-military ties between the US and SRV, but if there is sensitivity due to the perceptions of the PRC and others, the preliminary survey can be safely and effectively accomplished using small Vietnamese boats with US Navy and JPAC personnel. This long overdue survey is planned before summer. The follow-up underwater recovery is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06), but specifics have yet to be negotiated. The League believes that there are solid reasons for the US to negotiate with Vietnam to conduct this "separate humanitarian mission" using a US Navy salvage vessel, thus assuring greatest safety and effectiveness. With their history as guidance, VietnamÕs agreement, until implemented, means little, but an announcement of intention would still be welcome.
PERSONNEL CHALLENGES: JPAC/CIL currently has very serious military and civilian personnel shortages. The allotted personnel, if fully manned, would be stretching the limits to accommodate the multitude and variety of requirements they face. Shortages range from civilian forensic anthropologists to military administrative personnel, to team leaders and policy officers, analysts and mortuary affairs specialists.
The bottom line is that JPAC is short-handed and when that occurs, especially with their ever-expanding mission, something is or will be lost. MG Winfield is working hard to get positions filled, as are Senior Adviser Johnie Webb and Scientific Director of CIL Dr. Tom Holland. If they need additional billets, then it likely will fall to the POW/MIA families to push a needed priority, as we have many times over the years.
DIA's Stony Beach Team has finally recovered an authorized strength of 18 personnel, having lost several through the years due to attempts by earlier JTF-FA Commanders to limit their in-country work. Of the 18 billets, 5 are in Stony Beach headquarters, and 13 are field specialists, though three billets are currently vacant and being worked. Hopefully, the model Ð permanently working from the US Embassy, as in Cambodia Ð can be replicated in Laos and Vietnam in the near future. Thankfully, DIA Director Vice Admiral Jacoby and Deputy Director Mark Ewing are strong supporters of Stony Beach and have reinforced the importance of their mission, though announcement concerning the desired relocation to Bangkok is still awaited.
WORLDWIDE JOINT FIELD OPERATIONS: JPAC/CIL's worldwide operations are fast-paced and varied. Within the last year, teams have operated in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, North Korea, Tibet, Burma, France, Russia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the PeopleÕs Republic of China (PRC), Republic of Pulau and Washington State in the US. Most of these countries have been accessed for years, but decades of US Government priority and effective JPAC/CIL work are paying off, and field operations are increasing. US teams go to Laos five times each year, to Vietnam four times a year, though with much larger teams, and to North Korea five times each year, within a short time period due to weather restrictions. Teams also go to Cambodia one or two times each year as needed for excavations, but DIAÕs Stony Beach Team investigator works year-round.
JPAC deploys to the other countries as resources allow, with increasingly greater emphasis on WWII, and next to be added to the list is India. With increasing emphasis on WWII recoveries, teams recently concluded operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and a small team was recently in Fiji to conduct surveys. Just this week, another JPAC team deployed to the Republic of Palau in hopes of successful recovery of remains from WWII at two selected aircraft crash sites.
Despite very serious political and policy differences and operational constraints since the first recoveries began in 1996, five joint recoveries (using a total of 28 US personnel each time) are scheduled in North Korea (DPRK) this year. An advance team of JPAC specialists is now in the DPRK to receive supplies and disperse them to designated locations, to be followed by a joint advance team from April 2-16th, and full scale joint field operations start April 16th. Joint operations will be continuous, though with teams rotating in and out, from now until October, the only months when the weather allows. Previously postponed talks were held were held in Burma in early March to set the stage for field operations that were also previously halted. Though political divisions between the US and Burma (Myanmar) should not be allowed to halt working toward humanitarian accounting objectives, such appears to have occurred.
NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY: In a ceremony held at the Pentagon on September 14th, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz stated, "É..we are here - above all - to reaffirm our commitment to keep the pledge President Bush has made to achieve 'the fullest possible accounting of our prisoners of war and those missing in action. The brave men and women who serve today - whether in Afghanistan or in Iraq or in other theaters of the war on terrorism - can do so with the full confidence that if they are captured, become missing or fall in battle, this nation will spare no effort to bring them home. That, too, is our solemn pledge.."
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers, USAF, also made strongly supportive comments, as did distinguished veteran and US Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) who specifically addressed the POW/MIA families during his inspirational remarks. Ceremonies were held throughout the country honoring all returned POWs, MIAs and their families. Unfortunately, DPMOÕs leadership was again unable to obtain a timely proclamation from the White House. For this reason, many offices of the U.S. Postal Service were not aware that our POW/MIA flag should be raised on Tuesday, September 14th, unless personally visited by someone who knew the actual date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE LAST ANNUAL MEETING
The League's 35th Annual Meeting was held June 24-26, 2004, at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel at Reagan National Airport. In reporting the tone and complexity of this annual meeting and to provide League perspective, given the challenges for the upcoming annual meeting, more than the usual number of comments and background are required.
Opening Session: The meeting was formally opened on June 24th with welcoming remarks by Chairman of the Board Jo Anne Shirley, unanimously reelected by the Board to serve as Chairman for this year. Her remarks challenged all to be serious and responsible, as well as committed to obtaining answers. She highlighted the emotional impact on the families of having a loved one missing and the frustrations of dealing with policy and political evolution over the years. (Those who did not attend or desire a copy can send a self-addressed, .37 cent stamped envelope with a request.)
Congressman Mac Collins (R-GA), was a principal speaker at the Opening Session, aided by Garnett "Bill" Bell, renowned POW/MIA specialist and now the co-author, with George J. Veith, of Leave No Man Behind, about BillÕs years spent searching for American POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War. (See information on obtaining a copy of this important book later in this newsletter.) Congressman Collins' remarks were very instructive and included insights into his personal experiences as a basis for his commitment to the issue. Comments focused on his early 2004 trip to Vietnam to press Hanoi for documents still being withheld from US specialists. Despite more commitments, no documents were provided. This delegation got VietnamÕs attention, as League delegations have over the years, by providing specific examples of LKA and other discrepancies that could be answered if Hanoi would authorize release of the long-sought records still being withheld.
Executive DirectorÕs Report: League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths gave a verbal assessment of the yearÕs efforts, focusing primarily on gaps that should be filled and opportunities that had been missed. She also outlined the hope for greater seriousness and unity of effort within the Department of Defense, rather than the fragmentation that recently has been and is now evident.
In Memory & Honor: It has become tradition to have a brief ceremony to close the Opening Session by reading the names of our successes Ð the names of Americans who have been accounted for over the year since the prior League Annual Meeting. This year, Board Member Gail Innes, sister of LCDR Roger B. Innes, USN, remains recovered and now interred at Arlington National Cemetery, had the honor of reading the names.
Policy Forum: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian & Pacific Affairs Mathew P. Daley (now a League Policy Adviser) and US Ambassador to Cambodia Charles A. Ray presented informed and understandable assessments. Mr. DaleyÕs remarks addressed the current status of bilateral US relations with each of the countries in Southeast Asia where Vietnam War POW/MIAs are missing. Ambassador Ray spoke eloquently about his background, personal commitment and efforts in Cambodia to obtain answers, working with Cambodian and US officials to facilitate accounting efforts.
DOD Briefings: As directed by DASD Jennings, the first Òannual government briefingsÓ session, chaired by then DPMO Senior Director for Communications Dr. Kaye Whitley, included administrative announcements and welcoming comments before Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Jerry JenningsÕ spoke. A copy of Mr. JenningsÕ remarks was not provided, and he would take no questions from the podium. Many noted a distinct lack of warmth in his demeanor toward the individual families and the League.
Mr. Jennings concluded by unveiling the 2004 National POW/MIA Recognition Day poster, a design that had minimal linkage to the POW/MIA issue and carried no significant policy message to foreign governments. This yearÕs poster depicted the ongoing war against terrorism, against a background of captured American POWs from the Korean War, with a very small, scarcely visible POW/MIA flag. The League consistently urges, very recently to no avail, that the National POW/MIA Recognition Day poster be designed to carry signals to those governments holding answers of our nationÕs unified determination to achieve US accounting objectives. This was done throughout the Reagan/Bush and Bush/Quayle administrations; however, the 2004 poster wasted that opportunity, though was perhaps well-suited to Veterans Day or Armed Forces Day.
Operational Briefings: A highlight of the briefings, as before, came from those who command and participate in field operations in the various countries. For obvious reasons, the vast majority of the families are vitally interested in how the in-country work applies, or may apply, to the accounting for their missing loved ones. That focus is understandable and demonstrates why briefings by JPAC, CIL, DIAÕs Stony Beach Team, AFDIL and LSEL draw the most direct attention and comment.
This yearÕs presentation by MG W. Montague ÒQueÓ Winfield, USA, Commander of Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, drew very favorable responses, though due to the length of his presentation little time remained for any questions at the conclusion. Members of JPAC staff, in particular Team Leaders and a Team Sergeant gave graphic depictions of their in-country operations. Displays were also very descriptive.
DIA Commitment: VADM Lowell Jacoby, USN, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency pledged his agencyÕs full support in coordination with the Department of Defense and the US Pacific Command. Of particular interest was his solid assurance that DIAÕs special POW/MIA Team, Stony Beach, would continue to be fully resourced and supported. Admiral JacobyÕs assurance followed that given by DIA Deputy Director Mark Ewing in 2003, and DIA has followed through on its commitment to ensure adequate manning and priority for Stony Beach. This was attested to by Stony Beach Chief Tom McKay, a familiar face to most present, who gave the nuts and bolts of his organizationÕs effort to focus first on Americans last known alive (LKA), as well as pursuing any and all reports of missing US personnel, especially in captivity.
Annual Dinner: The League was privileged to have a very dedicated, highly qualified and experienced speaker in the person of The Honorable Robert C. ÒBudÓ McFarlane, National Security Adviser to President Ronald Reagan. Responding to the LeagueÕs request to attend as our guest, Mr. McFarlane agreed to provide personal insights about President Reagan, including his well-known commitment and direct involvement in the POW/MIA issue. This was especially timely since President Reagan had recently passed away. As has sometimes occurred, you could have heard a pin drop in the sold-out ballroom.
The League continues to be most grateful for the support that Mr. McFarlane and his wife, Jonny, have given to the League and our efforts to obtain answers, as we do for the insights that he willingly shares both privately and publicly. Problems currently faced would not be occurring if such a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to the principles of accounting existed in the National Security Council today, as throughout the eights years of the Reagan/Bush Administration during which the issue was led by Richard T. Childress, then Director of Asian Affairs and now a League Policy Adviser, with the full support of the President and a total of eight National Security Advisers.
Due to obstacles generated by DPMO leadership, no Òspecial entertainmentÓ was provided by the talented active-duty military musicians, as had occurred for many years, though the U.S. Marine Band Brass Quintet provided inspirational patriotic music at the beginning of the dinner. The POW/MIA Honors Ceremony with the Missing Man Table was conducted by the Military District of WashingtonÕs Joint Armed Forces Color Guard that also posted and retired the Colors. Both were arranged by the League through DoD, as in earlier years.
We were also very privileged to have wonderful guest soloists: Detective Randy Snider, Whitehall, Ohio Police Department, sang ÒStand Tall, America.Ó His trip to DC was sponsored by the Ohio Chapter MIA-POW, headed by our Region IV Coordinator Liz Flick. Mr. Ron Cima, long-time friend of the League and an analyst at DPMO, sang ÒBring Him HomeÓ and ÒYouÕll Never Walk AloneÓ as part of the closing Candlelight Ceremony Honoring AmericaÕs POWs/MIAs. We are deeply grateful to both of these dedicated Americans for enriching the dinner program, as did LtCol Guy Gruters, USAF (Ret), returned POW from the Vietnam War who read the Roll Call of Names. Colonel Gruters was joined at the dinner by his large, immediate family and fellow POWs and their wives: Congressman & Mrs. Sam Johnson (R-TX); Commander & Mrs. Everett Alvarez, USN (Ret); Lt Col & Mrs. Kevin McManus, USAF (Ret); and LtCol David Gray, USAF (Ret), a member of the League Board.
Award Presentations: There were two special awards, framed signed/numbered prints of the portrait by noted Vietnam Veteran artist and friend Tom Nielsen that were given to Senator Bob Dole, who helped found the League, and the Honorable Robert ÒBudÓ McFarlane. Last yearÕs League Awards were presented to officials in the Department of State, well deserved in 2004, including and all three US Ambassadors to the Indochina Countries, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The award recipients were Assistant Secretary of State for Asian & Pacific Affairs James Kelly, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian & Pacific Affairs Matthew Daley (now a League Policy Adviser), US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia Charles A. Ray, US Ambassador to Laos Douglas Hartwick and US Ambassador to Vietnam Raymond Burghardt. For the first time, two League awards were presented to foreign countries that have contributed significantly to achieving the LeagueÕs objectives, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia. Both were recognized for many years of support and hosting the various US organizations that conduct field operations in Southeast Asia.
Finally, the LeagueÕs highest award, the Distinguished Service Award, was unanimously voted by the Board of Directors for Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Paul D. Wolfowitz, for his many years of dedication and commitment to the League and to achieving our objectives. Only four times has this award been presented, and it must be for exceptional service; however, the award remains in the LeagueÕs national office, and the recipientÕs name is inscribed on it. Dr. Wolfowitz, the fourth recipient, follows in the footsteps of the first recipient, Richard Childress, the second, Betty A. Bartels (posthumously), and the third, the Central Identification Laboratory, before merging into JPAC.
Executive DirectorÕs Observations: Last yearÕs annual meeting was very unusual in many respects. Though invited in February for the June meeting, the President again did not address the families, veterans, US officials and others who attended, nor did the Vice President, the NSC Adviser or a relevant Cabinet Secretary or Military Service Chief. This was very disappointing, but not surprising given what we now know of DASD Jennings efforts to control the League meeting and limit DoDÕs support.
Mr. Jennings also removed League Chairman of the Board Jo Anne Shirley from her long-established role as moderator of the sessions during which official presentations were given and eliminated the extended Q&A session, normally held toward the end of the meeting to ensure that everyone first has the opportunity to hear League and US Government briefings. This resulted in very little time allowed for Q&A, as Mr. JenningsÕ issued instructions to all Service Casualty, JPAC/CIL, AFDIL, DIA/Stony Beach and LSEL personnel that they were not authorized to meet with family members on Saturday or to participate in the Q&A session planned for that morning, but were to end participation by the close of DoD briefings on Friday and depart for home.
Finally, Mr. Jennings intervened to prohibit the JPAC Commander from meeting with the League Board of Directors on Saturday. This was a ludicrous situation, made worse by Mr. JenningsÕ attitude of superiority and rude behavior, though he finally agreed to meet with the League leadership on Friday evening, accepting an invitation extended by Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was clear that Mr. Jennings had never had any intention of working to solve problems, despite repeated League efforts to explain our concerns and seek solutions.
At Mr. JenningsÕ direction, DPMO later sought a meeting with the Board of Directors, but declined to provide any agenda. For that reason, Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, Treasurer/Board Member Karen McManus and I, as Executive Director, agreed to meet on September 13th, the day prior to National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Upon arrival, Dr. Kaye Whitley (known to most as Director of Family Liaison before her promotion to Senior Director for Communications and more recent removal from that position by DASD Jennings) presented four slides while reading an accompanying script. With the slides flipping rapidly, we requested copies for the Board and were at first denied them. In response to our skepticism over the legality of their denial, DPMOÕs military attorney agreed to provide the slides, but despite several requests, the script was never provided. Chief of Staff Mel Richmond reportedly had anticipated some discussion, but in reality, there was no basis for discussing DPMOÕs Òtake it or leave itÓ proposal to have total control over this yearÕs 36th Annual Meeting.
The fundamental question is why? Why would DPMO even want to chair the sessions in which various US Government participants are briefing the families? For 35 years, the League has held annual meetings and invited US officials to come and brief the families, veterans and other supporters. For 35 years, senior officials from the White House, Departments of State and Defense, Members of Congress, all relevant DoD organizations, national veteransÕ leaders and others have accepted such League invitations. In that process, US officials often requested input as to subject matter of greatest interest to the families, and the result was mutually advantageous. Unless there is some underlying intent to control the entire issue and sugarcoat and/or distort the message, it is illogical to be pushing such an agenda.
Total DPMO control of the issue is not acceptable; there must be a system of checks and balances. The Board of Directors met November 5th, in conjunction with the LeagueÕs Region II Meeting in New Jersey, and voted unanimously to exhaust all political and legal remedies to stop DPMOÕs unprecedented attempts to control the League and all aspects of the issue.
POLL OF LEAGUE MEMBERS: It is important that we obtain your views, in particular from those who have attended annual meetings in the past, family members and associate members. We also want to hear from those who have yet to attend. The Board of Directors is currently seeking this input in preparation for the 36th Annual Meeting, June 16-18, 2005. Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and send it back to the League office with your dues, a donation and the 36th Annual Meeting Registration Form.
POSSIBLE FORMATION OF A POW/MIA COUNCIL: The Board of Directors is considering the possibility of forming a ÒcouncilÓ of federally tax-exempt, nonprofit POW/MIA family organizations. While preserving the independence of each organization, the purpose would be to develop unified strategies and approaches to achieve objectives of mutual interest. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.
The League is nationally eligible for the 2005 CFC Campaign #1174