Governor Haslam Proclaims POW/MIA Recognition Week

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder today announced September 18-24, 2015 as POW/MIA Recognition Week.  Since 2011, the remains of eight Tennessee service members who previously listed as Missing In Action (MIA) were recovered and returned to their country.

Specialist Marvin Phillips went missing on September 26, 1966 while serving with the United States Army in Vietnam.  The Palmer native was laid to rest at Palmer Cemetery in Grundy County on September 26, 2011.

Private First Class Frank Jennings went missing on April 25, 1951 while serving with the United States Army in Korea.  The Decaturville native was laid to rest at Jeanette Cemetery in Decatur County on April 14, 2012.

Private First Class Glenn Schoenmann went missing on November 28, 1950 while serving with the United States Army in Korea.  The Palmer native was laid to rest at the Brown’s Chapel Cemetery in Grundy County on January 12, 2013.

Private First Class James Maxwell went missing on May 15, 1975 while serving with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam.  After the recovery of the remains of the Memphis native, services were held in Center Ridge, Arkansas on August 30, 2012 and at Arlington National Cemetery on May 15, 2013.

Major Howard V. Andre, Jr. went missing on July 8, 1969 while serving with the United States Air Force in Vietnam.  The Memphis native was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on September 23, 2013.

Staff Sergeant Lawrence Woods went missing on October 24, 1964 while serving with the United States Army in Vietnam. The Clarksville resident was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on March 21, 2014.

Private First Class Cecil Harris went missing on January 2, 1945 while serving with the United States Army in World War II.  The Shelbyville native will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 22, 2014.

Private First Class Lotchie Jones went missing on or about November 2, 1950 while serving in the United States Army in the Korean War.  The Jasper native was laid to rest at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on March 5, 2015.

“Anytime I see the black POW/MIA flag proudly displayed, the names of our recovered Tennesseans and the faces of their families come to mind,” Grinder said.  “I want to encourage citizens of the Volunteer State to pause and remember those families still waiting for closure and hoping for answers.”

More than 83,000 Americans and more than 200 Tennesseans are still missing or unaccounted for since World War II.  The United States Department of Defense Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) maintain information on returning remains of American heroes.  To view more information visit the DPAA website.

In 1990, the 101st Congress passed legislation to recognize the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag.  Since 2011, the week beginning the third Friday of September and extending through the following Thursday of each year shall be designated as “Tennessee POW-MIA Recognition Week” to remember and pay tribute to service members captured by the enemy and those still missing in action.

As a tribute to Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action, the well-known POW-MIA Flag will fly over the Tennessee State Capitol on September 18.

Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder will present the Governor’s proclamation as keynote speaker during the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System POW/MIA Recognition Day Luncheon at the Smyrna town Centre at 100 Sam Ridley Parkway on Friday, September 18 at 11:00 a.m. (CDT).  Assistant Commissioner Travis Murphy will present the Governor’s proclamation during the First Annual Veterans Golf Classic at 810 Nonaville Road in Mt. Juliet on Friday, September 19 at 12:00 p.m. (CDT).  Assistant Commissioner Lorenza Wills will present the proclamation during a POW/MIA ceremony at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at 5901 Lyons View Pike in Knoxville on Saturday, September 20 at 2:00 p.m. (EDT).

For more information, visit the department’s website.