EX-POW BULLETIN the official voice of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Volume 70 www .axpo w .or g Number 7/8 July/August 2013 We exist to help those who cannot help themselves Congressional Charter 10th Reunion at Piestewa Peak 2013 For the Army’s 507th Maintenance Company, March is a time for renewal and remembrance. On March 23, 2003, they were taken captive during a gunfight that led to the capture of some and death of others, and were finally rescued by U.S. Marine Corps units 22 days later. Every year, they get together with their families and at the site of a memorial mountain renamed for one of their own, Hopi Lori Ann Piestewa. At Piestewa Peak, Iraqi War POWs, friends, family and fellow veterans gathered for the 10th Anniversary. Thanks to Ernest Martinez of “Arizona for Piestewa” for his usual gracious cooperation and for these photos. Alice A. Booher Left to right: Former POW Jessica Lynch (rear); the mother of former POW Lori Ann Piestewa, Percy Piestewa; Jessica Lynch’s daughter Dakota Ann (behind), Lori’s daughter Carla (Hopi); former POW Shoshana Johnson; Lori’s father Terry Piestewa; former POW Joe Hudson; Lori’s son (Navaho) Brandon; and Gourd Dance Staffer Mark Roanhorse, all participate in the Gourd Dance honoring Lori and other fallen heroes table of contents July/August 2013 officers/directors 4 commander 5 NSO 6 medsearch 7 andersonville 11 namPOW 12 joint committee 13 outreach 14 civilian 15 pow-mia 16 events, info, looking for 17 convention 18 The Fourth of July 2013 election information 21 On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved news 24 by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road stories 27 to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American contributions 31 of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard new members 32 barbecues across the country. taps 33 chaplain 37 2.5 million raffle 39 In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly voluntary funding 41 independent nation. quartermaster 42 Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970 316.2 million Publisher PNC Maurice Sharp The nation’s estimated population on this July Fourth. 9716 54th Street CT West Source: U.S. and World Population Clock University Place, WA 98467-1118 (253) 565-0444 [email protected] August 10, 1982 Editor The American Ex-Prisoners of War received our congressional char- Cheryl Cerbone ter under Title 36 of the United States Code in 1982. This event 23 Cove View Drive followed closely on the heels of passage of Public Law 97-37, estab- South Yarmouth, MA 02664 lishing the first presumptives for ex-POWs and mandating the es- (508) 394-5250 tablishment of the Advisory Committee. (508) 760-2008 fax [email protected] UMB Credit Card Intrepid Staff Reporter Every time a member – or member’s family or friends – signs Alice A Booher up for the new UMB credit card (which features our marching men on the face), AXPOW receives $50.00. That’s like making a Deadline for the Sept/Oct 2013 $50 donation to the organization when you sign up. We also issue is August 1, 2013. get a percentage of every dollar spent if you use the card each month. Please send all materials to the editor at the above address. So won’t you take a few minutes and apply for this card today? EX-POW Bulletin (ISSN 0161-7451) is published bi-monthly (six times annually) by the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, Arlington, TX 76010. Periodical postage paid at Arlington, TX and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to EX-POW Bulletin, AXPOW Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396. Founded April 14, 1942, in Albuquerque, NM, then known as Bataan Relief Organization, Washington State non- profit corporation, “American Ex-Prisoners of War”, October 11, 1949, recorded as Document No. 133762, Roll 1, Page 386-392. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. Nationally Chartered August 10, 1982. Appearance in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the American Ex-Prisoners of War of the product or service advertised. The publisher reserves the right to decline or discontinue any such advertisement. © 2013 American Ex-Prisoners of War Ex-POW Bulletin July/August 2013 3 axpow officers & directors 2012-2013 National Headquarters - Clydie J. Morgan, Adjutant/Treasurer 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy, #40, Arlington, TX 76010 (817) 649-2979 (817) 649-0109 fax [email protected] Officers Directors National Commander North East Region Mid-Central Region Charles Susino, Jr. Charles A. Susino Becky Fisher 136 Jefferson Street 951 Gates Ave. 6319 Whims Rd. Metuchen, NJ 08840 Piscataway, NJ 08854 Canal Winchester, OH 43110 (732) 549-5775 phone & fax (732) 463-8355; (732) 221-0073-C (614) 834-7214 [email protected] National Sr Vice Commander Laura McIntyre Deanie Schmidt James L. Lollar PO Box 475 1001 Parkview Blvd. #316 292 VZ CR 3727 Hardwick, MA 01037 Columbus, OH 43219 Wills Point, TX 75169 (413) 477-8260 (413) 477-0172 fax (614) 372-0788 (903) 560-1734; (903) 560-1705 fax [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] East Central Region Judy Lee South Central Region National Judge Advocate PO Box 56 PNC Morris Barker David Drummond Madisonville, TN 37354 710 Chapel View 1 Crane Court (423) 442-3223; (423) 442-4702 fax Waco, TX 76712 Manalapan, NJ 07726 [email protected] (254) 732-5640 (732) 446-4198 [email protected] [email protected] Southeast Region Edward L. DeMent Ben Garrido National Chaplain 8735 Doral Oaks Dr., #1617 6813 W 60th Street ND Benny Rayborn Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Tulsa OK 74107 459 Grady Brown Rd (813) 985-3783 (951) 313-9838 Lumberton MS 39455 [email protected] [email protected] (601) 466-1951 [email protected] Benny Rayborn Northwest Region 1111 Highway 29 Bonnie Sharp Jr. Vice Commanders Wiggins, MS 39577 9716 54th Street CT West Wm “Bill” Jeffers - (601) 928-9200 University Place, WA 98467-1118 Eastern Zone [email protected] (253) 565-0444 3522 Millbrook Way Cr [email protected] Greenacres, FL 33463 North Central Region (561) 969-6036 John W Clark Southwest Region [email protected] 1201 S Johnmeyer Ln Alice Gollin Columbia MO 65203 37231 Turnberry Isle Pam Warner Eslinger - (573) 445-3621 Palm Desert, CA 92211 Central Zone [email protected] (760) 610-1271;(760) 610-1752 fax PO Box 117 [email protected] Hammon, OK 73650 David Claypool (580) 821-1526 PO Box 38 Lewis “Lew” Sleeper 6636 E Villa Dorado [email protected] Hampton MN 55031 (612) 245-2247 Tucson, AZ 85715 [email protected] (520) 751-9628 Voice Milton “Skip” Moore - (520) 490-1082 Cell Western Zone [email protected] 2965 Sierra Bermeja Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 (520) 459-7295; (520) 533-3757 fax Senior Director [email protected] Carroll Bogard, Ph.D 275 N Taft #116 Mason City IA 50401 Committee addresses appear (641) 424-4870 – Voice with their columns (641) 512-4543 - Cell some cases on the backs of vet- on official erans. During 2012-3 while Com- business and mander, this happened many each time times where I had to send letters the surreal to Congressman calling for their atmosphere involvement on our behalf. As over takes individual veterans, we too have me. During a voice and obligation to take ac- the ceremo- tion and as an organization our nies, looking influence is great through letters out to the Ar- and face to face meetings. Head- lington Cemetery Amphitheater quarters has been instrumental overflowing with members of the in monitoring these Bills and giv- public, weighs heavy on my heart. ing the Commander the heads-up Their pres- when it is time to weigh in. This ence hon- will forever be an important func- oring the National Commander tion of the Ex-POW organization. country’s Charles Susino, Jr. veterans as By example, I attended the Febru- well as At the June National Convention, ary 28, 2013 Senate Veterans Sub- coverage my term as Commander ended. committee Meeting in Washing- by the na- I have been proud representing ton headed by Senator Barry Sand- tional our organization. This year has ers and Representative Miller press and been the most rewarding among who are supporters of veterans. live media my 20+ years serving veterans. As Following the testimonies pro- is very re- I move from Commander to PNC vided by the veteran’s organiza- warding. my message is to keep our orga- tions, Mr. Sanders mentioned that nization moving forward. Influ- due to the critical budget issues ence policies that are set in Wash- Washington was looking to ington, work effectively with the change the cost of living adjust- VA as they administer these poli- ment for social security and vet- cies, and most importantly on an erans which would reduce in- individual basis, “helping those creases in future years because that can’t help themselves”. the increases were “too much”. I publicly responded by stating “I As you all understand, the pro- don’t understand why they look cess of developing and passing at veterans getting too much. The Congressional Bills into law is sacrifices they gave maybe were complicated. The elected politi- too much. To think about reduc- cians and their staff originate ing veterans benefits is uncon- Bills based on their own beliefs scious able. Veterans gave their and the input they receive from best to the country and Washing- others. As the Bills go through ton should give their best to the committees, policy makers in veterans.” My response was Washington receive input from greeted by audience applause, the many lobbies, some positive and only applause of the entire hear- Looking forward, my intention is some negative towards the veter- ing.