POW/MIA Monument Newsletter
The local chapter of the Air Force Association is raising money to provide a visible tribute to the sacrifices that have been made to preserve our freedom. This 12 by 25 foot monument will be constructed on the corner of Westover Drive and Arnold Avenue, behind the new base exchange.
The monument is designed to provide a permanent reminder of American's prisoner's of war and members missing in action. It will stand in honor of all five military branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The project was started in 1988 by the Thomas W. Anthony chapter POW/MIA Monument Foundation. Fund raising has been running slow and new ways are being looked at, including a net page solely for the monument fund drive. We can reach more people and we hope more will get involved in this wonderful project," said MSgt Gatewood, POW/MIA Committee Chairman.
This monument is something the military community can be proud of and we need people to get involved, whether it be by donation of time and energy or monetary donations. Fundraising by means of selling full color lithographs, coins and bricks is an on-going project toward the monument. The lithographs are 16x20 and sell for $15.00 each, a real bargain, Commemorative Air Power coins at $5.00 each and the most personal and permanent item for sale is the Brick. The bricks sold for the monument will be built into the side wings and throughout the back of the structure. These bricks are 4 inches high by 12 inches long and can be personalized with the names of loved ones who served or any other message. The cost of the bricks are $250.00 with 3 lines of text, 22 letters per line or for a $90.00 donation, you have one line of text that will be combined with other donations.
This project is very important because it not only recognizes the POWs and MIAs everybody thinks of from Vietnam, but POWs and MIAs throughout history.
"I'm glad to see people are taking an interest in the POWs and MIAs," said MSgt (Ret.) Paul Reuter, a POW for 42 months during World War II. "My wife and I donated tot he monument fund because we think it's a cause worth getting involved in. I was a POW 50 years ago and I think it's time we recognized the people who served and gave their lives." Since officials from the United States and around the world visit Andrews every year, we hope they will recognized how important the POW/MIA cause is to the American people, said Chuck AZ Tsinnie, 89th Services Squadron. "This monument will not be for a specific war, but for all past, present and future wars and conflicts American becomes involved with," said Tsinnie. "It is envisioned as a sign of faith and hope that our POWs and MIAs are still alive." Tsinnie was summoned by the POW/MIA Foundation to design the monument. "They really had no idea what they wanted to do or use." Tsinnie said, "At first they wanted to make it a memorial to those who served in the past. But, when we say a memorial, it is usually for people who have passed away. I suggested we make it a living monument."
Photo of Model of POW/MIA Monument.
"I designed a lithograph to present to the committee, showing the fight for freedom POWs and MIAs face," Tsinnie added. "A lot of the symbolism I used in the lithograph comes from my Native American heritage and way of thinking," Tsinnie said. Tsinnie's rendition depicts two eagles, representing the American people. "I chose the eagle because it is very symbolic, it is a source of strength and wisdom, " Tsinnie explained.
"One eagle is chained, representing the POWs. The lock that holds the POW symbolizes that the American people have the key, the means to negotiate their release and set them free," Tsinnie explained.
He proposed the chain that holds the POW be made of stainless steel or wrought iron. So, when the POWs and MIAs have been brought home and accounted for, the chain can be cut.
An empty chain will be carved in the middle of the monument. This chain has a riveted shackle and represents the MIAs. "I designed this chain shut because I feel, that when the enemy took these people prisoner, they never intended to set them free," Tsinnie said.
"I've seen many ways to represent our POWs such as a man behind bars or tied up. But in my 28 years of service, I've never seen anything symbolizing a person missing in action," Tsinnie added.
"I designed the MIA symbol to the center of interest in the monument, " Tsinnie said. "It's tied to a dead tree for those who died and is rooted in the same ground that we walk on. So, no matter how you look at it, we are always deeply connected."
On the ground by the POW eagle and MIA chain, lie eagle feathers. "When Native American veterans buy these lithos from me, they question why I have drawn eagle feathers on the ground," Tsinnie said. "We believe that eagle feathers should be picked up and never left on the ground. When they bring that point up to me, I always say "these eagle feathers represent sighting and testimonies that our POWs and MIAs were seen. We as the American people, members of Congress, the President, and other heads of state need to pick them up and examine them. They show us that there are people out there and we need to pick up the eagle feathers and bring them home.
"The eagle soaring I used represents the American people going back for their POWs and MIAs," Tsinnie said.
"On the way to have the lithograph to be printed, I took it out to finish it, I realized something was missing," Tsinnie said. "I sketched in an outline of the continental USA, making the drawing complete. It symbolizes that no matter where our POWs and MIAs are; if they are dead, in our hearts and in our minds, they are buried on American soil."
"I've taken this lithograph and my ideas to different conferences and shows and total strangers have poured out their hearts and souls to me, it's very moving,: Tsinnie said. "These people are in turmoil with themselves. They have no idea where their loved ones are. They come up to me and tell me "I want to bring my son home and bury him." I want these people to see that the American people have not forgotten or given up on their loved ones and hopefully someday we can make these peoples wishes come true by bringing their loved ones home."
For more information on this project or to make a contribution or purchase a commemorative brick, contact the POW/MIA Monument Foundation at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland or contact MSgt Robert Gatewood, Committee chairman (301) 981-9417. Call Chuck AZ Tsinnie, Committee member at (301) 877-9616, address: 9505 Brandywine Road , Clinton, MD 20735 (E-Mail:Dineh@aol.com or contact the POW/MIA Monument Foundation office below.
Corporations, Local Merchants, Base Organizations, Private Clubs, State organizations... Get Involved! I challenge each of you, your friends and local stores to purchase a brick and receive lasting recognition of your contribution to this wonderful cause. Many, many contributors and volunteers are coming forth each day. Make a pledge and become a part of this effort.
