[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5499-S5500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in honor of National POW/MIA Day, today I
wish to pay tribute to our Nation's servicemembers who have been taken
as prisoners of war, POWs, and those missing in action, MIA. I also
pray for resolution for the military families who await answers about
their loved ones and thank those who work to ensure that all our
Nation's veterans are accounted for and their service is not forgotten.
A great source of pride and comfort in being an American is knowing
that if we get in harm's way, strong and resourceful Americans stand
with us. Unfortunately, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and even 70-plus years
have passed since some Americans have gone unaccounted for while
serving our Nation, and they have yet to be returned home.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reports that more than 83,000
Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam
war, the Cold War, and the Gulf wars and other conflicts. This includes
333 Idahoans who have not been recovered following World War II and 25
Idahoans who remain unaccounted for who served in the Korean war.
Additionally, eight Idahoans went missing while serving in the Vietnam
war and remain missing: Capt. Jon K. Bodahl, Capt. Curtis R.
Bohlscheid, CPT Gregg N. Hollinger, ENS Hal T. Hollingsworth, SSG
William B. Hunt, 1LT William E. Lemmons, LT Roderick L. Mayer, and
Warrant Officer Jon M. Sparks. Their names and service must be fixed in
our national attention.
My heart hurts for the thousands of military families who have
remained in limbo all these years. We can never forget their pain and
the enduring service of all our service personnel who have not made it
home. We must be resolute in our duty to bring them home. That is part
of our responsibility as a nation to those Americans who have answered
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the call of duty to defend our country and its interests.
As we pay tribute to POW/MIA families and veterans, we cannot lose
sight of the ongoing price they bear for our freedoms and security.
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