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[The speaker may individualize this speech by noting local events or by calling attention to honored guests, dignitaries, etc. Otherwise, the text may be presented as is.]
POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY -- WE WILL REMEMBER
Today we pay special tribute to all service members and civilians taken prisoner of war or considered "missing." We also honor the family members who have suffered and made great sacrifices for our country and been steadfast in their resolve for a full accounting. Today we remember these members of our armed forces who have given everything of themselves in defense of the independence we hold dear. It is with deep respect and solemn appreciation that we single out those who paid a heavy price. Their courage and devotion to duty, honor and country -- often in the face of vicious treatment and torture by their captors -- will never be forgotten by the American people. Many of these men, who haven't come home, fought in a controversial and unpopular war, the Vietnam War. They didn't determine the political and military conditions in Southeast Asia, yet it was their thankless duty to give up their youth. Even though POWs and MIAs were an issue in World War II and the Korean War, it came to the forefront of the American public during Vietnam. More than two decades have passed since the end of the conflict in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. However, many of you may remember how this conflict divided the nation, divided families. Some went to fight, some protested and some left the country. So I ask that we set aside any differences for an occasion of solemn unity and to vow that we will never forget our special comrades, those who were prisoners, whose status is unresolved. These ceremonies keep our resolve alive, and give recognition to not only those Americans who fought in Southeast Asia, but those who endured hardships in other wars as well, including the "Cold War." The president, secretary of defense and senior leadership are committed to resolving the issue. Obtaining the fullest accounting for those still missing is the highest national priority. The Department of Defense has significantly increased both resources and personnel dedicated to the POW/MIA issue. The past year has seen an overwhelming expansion in our efforts. Recent talks with the North Koreans have been promising. A key breakthrough came in May when North Korean officials escorted a U.S. delegation to a site where a B-29 crashed in 1951 -- 10 men from that crash are still unaccounted for. The first joint United States-North Korean field search may take place at the crash site this year. This new approach to unilateral searches may open the way to repatriate perhaps thousands of potentially recoverable American remains. We are also working with the Russians in a joint commission to examine and investigate long-sealed documents to discover the fate of Cold War victims; such as reconnaissance aircrews lost along borders of Communist-controlled territory or U.S. service members and civilians who disappeared behind the "Iron Curtain." The only war with 100 percent accountability is Operation Desert Storm. Iraq returned all POWs, and no person was in a "missing" status at the end of this brief war. Although the United States has no evidence that Americans are still being held against their will in any country, information available precludes ruling out that possibility. Live-sighting reports of Americans in captivity continue to get the highest priority and resources. The majority of these reports are resolved. Only a very small percentage refer to Americans described in a captive environment. These sightings turn out to be people who are construction workers, medical missionaries, drug runners or deserters. A case is not considered closed until identifiable remains are repatriated or there is convincing information why it is not possible.In comparison with other wars in our nation's history, the number of cases for the Vietnam War are small -- approximately 2,100 still unaccounted for. Every year we move slowly toward decreasing them -- there were 2,265 in 1992. Yet, after World War II, there were more than 75,000 missing; during the Korean Conflict, more than 8,100 missing. We have offices in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. These in-country offices offer unprecedented opportunities to press for full accord of the agreements. Our specialists have been allowed to conduct rapid live-sighting investigations and have gained increased access to Vietnam's extensive wartime records. We're doing archival research on more than 10,000 documents -- some recently declassified which allow family members to review specific missions -- but much remains to be done. We realize that results are the only measure for determining real success. However, I don't want you to walk away today focusing on numbers. I'd rather you remember that these numbers are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. Their families remember, and they want every one of you to remember, too. They are from all walks of life; from airman first class to major general, who did not return. There's a black and white banner that symbolizes America's missing. It is a covenant with those who defend us and with the loved ones they leave behind. We recognize the sacrifice of their loved ones at home. President Clinton has said, "For it is in the name of both the missing and their loved ones that we aggressively pursue the release of any U.S. service member held against his or her will, that we search tirelessly for information about the missing, and that we seek the repatriation of recoverable American remains."
The men and women of the Air Force and the Department of Defense will continue to strive toward the goal of the fullest possible accounting of those who are still missing. We believe our comrades and their families along with the American people deserve no less. Our lasting tribute to these Americans who have never returned -- we will never forget. |
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