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2001

Honoring POW/MIAs in Wichita

VVA’s Leadership & Education Conference Opening Ceremonies began with the presentation of the colors—including the POW/MIA flag. Then, on Friday morning, August 8, the Kansas State Council, led by Jim Deister, presented a reimagined POW/MIA ceremony. While a tiger cage stood to the side, the classic POW/MIA table took center stage. In addition, there was a candlelit memorial that listed all the MIAs from Kansas. Participants laid roses at the memorial and rendered hand salutes.

Mel Lucas spoke, and Diane Nicholson read a poem about a girl going through the stages of life without her POW father. Jim Cole, Blas Ortiz, and Harry Nicholson were also instrumental in creating the ceremony.

The ceremony was forced inside due to a sudden storm, but concluded outside with the release of fifty black balloons—one for each state.