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Vietnam Veterans honor the missing and prisoners

| 24 Sep 2018 | 04:46
    PHOTOS BY JANET REDYKE The Vietnam memorial in Lafayette honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those still missing.
    PHOTOS BY JANET REDYKE The Vietnam memorial in Lafayette honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those still missing.
    Before the ceremony, the podium, symbolic table, monument and half-staff flag gratefully honor Vietnam MIAs.
    Before the ceremony, the podium, symbolic table, monument and half-staff flag gratefully honor Vietnam MIAs.
    The symbolic table for one remembers those lost but never forgotten.
    The symbolic table for one remembers those lost but never forgotten.

LAFAYETTE — On a twilight autumn evening with crickets chirping and calm breezes, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 327 observed POW/MIA Day on Friday, Sept. 21 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Route 15.
In attendance were members of chapter 327 as well as chapter 1002, loved ones, the public and Lafayette Mayor Richard Hughes.
Mayor Richard Hughes praised the efforts of the veterans and reinforced the idea of never forgetting those who were lost and those who remain missing in action. President Donald J. Trump has signed a proclamation acknowledging September 21 as National POW/MIA Day.
The 30-minute ceremony explained the displayed table set for one, describing what each table symbol represented. Some being, a red rose representing the blood shed by war heroes. A lemon slice representing the bitterness of war and its outcome and an inverted wine glass, stating that the MIA victim cannot toast with family and is missing and their situation still remains a mystery.
Sussex County MIA military personnel’s names were read and remembered by chapter members followed by the solemn ringing of a bell. A gun salute followed and also the playing of Taps.
According to military records, 1,609 military personnel are still listed as missing in action from the Vietnam conflict.