For a 24 hour period on Sept. 22 and 23, a 24-hour vigil in remembrance of the POW/MIAs of past and present was held at the Courthouse Square in Owego. Provided photo.
For almost 40 years, Tioga County veteran organizations have been holding a 24-hour vigil in remembrance of the POW/MIAs of past and present. The vigil started at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 with an opening ceremony and prayer, and ended with the closing ceremony on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial located on the Courthouse Square in downtown Owego.
Members from veteran organizations took turns during the 24-hour standing vigil. Leaving behind service men and women is difficult for all members of the military. Past and present members will not rest until as many as possible are returned home.
For a 24 hour period on Sept. 22 and 23, a 24-hour vigil in remembrance of the POW/MIAs of past and present was held at the Courthouse Square in Owego. Provided photo.
There are still **82,945 American service men and women missing in action; 73,000 from WW II, **7,745 from the Korean War, 126 from the Cold War, 1,800 from Vietnam, and at least six from Iraq and Afghanistan. Just recently, **55 remains of American servicemen were returned from North Korea.
Participating were the American Legion Post 401, Owego VFW 1371, Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 1371, Marine Corps League, Candor Legion Post 907, Owego SAL Squadron Post 401, Veterans of Modern Warfare, Nichols Legion Post 1624, Men’s Auxiliary VFW Post 1371, Waverly Legion Post 492, Waverly VFW Post 8104, and Vietnam Veterans 480.
As well as the organizations listed, the Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency, Price Chopper and Original Italian supported the event.
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