Local POW, MIA heros to be honored Friday

Members of American Legion Post 197 will host the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Observance Program Friday, Sept. 16 at noon for the community at the Meansville Veterans Memorial in downtown Meansville, across from the city hall.The National Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day Observance Program will honor past and current POWs around the nation. ’Currently, Pike County has three known MIAs: WWII Lieutenant Robert E. Oxford from Concord, WWII Staff Sergeant Joel M. Matthews from Meansville and Vietnam War Willie L. King from Meansville; and one past Vietnam War POW, Specialist 6th Class Lenard E. Daugherty, from The Rock,’ said Post 197 commander Bryan Richardson. ‘The program will include the history of the POW/MIA Flag and a special POW/MIA tribute. In addition, Post 197 would like to take this nationally recognized special day to conduct a Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremony.’During the ceremony, three new U.S. flags will be unfolded, raised, given proper honors, lowered and refolded into its proper triangular configuration for the next three Pike County Memorial Annex Inductees. The three inductees will be Private Ralph E. Bishop, Private Tilton ‘Calvin’ Gooden and Staff Sergeant Joel M. Matthews; all from the Meansville area and all killed in action (KIA) during World War II. ’Their respective flags will be included in their shadow box to be unveiled at Dec. 3 Pike County Memorial Annex Induction Ceremony,’ said Richardson. ‘Please join the community as we continue to remember our past and current POWs, MIAs and wartime KIA; especially those from Pike County. Seating is limited, so please bring a lawn chair and enjoy the program.’