It was a time for remembrance, prayer and reflection.
American Legion Post 21 of The Colony, Texas, held its first POW/MIA recognition vigil at Stewart Creek Park on Sunday evening, Sept. 18, 2022. Members of the community, civic leaders, Scouts, Daughters of the American Revolution and Legionnaires from different posts all joined together to honor, recognize and never forget our POW and MIA brothers and sisters.
Post 21 Commander Mary C. Garcia chose a vigil because “a vigil brings us together with intention and purpose for a common cause. A vigil is powerful - it touches us individually, and yet it pulls us together in community and in spirit.”
SAL Squadron 21 Commander Ray Reynolds led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Praise Team from Life Changing Faith (LCF) church from Frisco, Texas, set the tone for the evening with a wonderful rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Richard Boyer, mayor of The Colony, emphasized the city’s respect and support for the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
The ceremony included a POW/MIA table observance re-enacted as a family setting the dinner table, waiting for news of their missing loved one. The symbolism of each piece was described as it was placed upon the table, reminding us of the pain of the families who wait, and bearing witness to the continued absence and unknown fate of our unaccounted-for brothers and sisters.
The keynote speaker, Senior Pastor Dono Pelham from LCF, delivered an uplifting message of comfort, hope and faith, ensuring everyone that our POWs and MIAs are never alone as long as we hold them in our hearts.
The Life Changing Faith Praise team then sang the beautiful song “Worth.” Just as Jesus gave his life for us because He felt we were worth saving, our military, who answered the call to defend our nation, also believed our freedoms, our families and our way of life in this great country were worth saving, even if it meant making the ultimate sacrifice.
As the sun set across the water, bugler Dan Ivey stood in silhouette as the mournful notes of Taps wafted over the silent crowd, signaling an end to the day but not to the spirit of hope that remains forever in our hearts.
