REMINGTON, Va. — Every military family understands that service often requires sacrifice. For some families, that sacrifice extends far beyond the battlefield, leaving an empty seat at the dinner table and decades of unanswered questions.
On Sept. 19, American Legion Post 247 in Remington, Va., will transform that symbol into a powerful evening of remembrance during the Empty Chair Gala, a community event dedicated to honoring America’s prisoners of war (POWs), those still missing in action (MIAs), and the families who continue waiting for answers.
Hosted at The Inn at Kelly’s Ford, the gala will bring together veterans, community leaders, supporters and patriotic Americans for an evening centered on one promise: America must never stop searching for those who never came home.
“The empty chair represents more than a missing servicemember,” said Post 247 Commander Jay Pinsky. “It represents every family gathering interrupted, every birthday missed, every holiday spent wondering, and every promise our nation made to never forget those who remain unaccounted for.”
The evening’s keynote speaker will be Chris Perez, co-founder of Media Evolve, a Project Recover team member and a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer. Drawing on his military service, leadership and strategic communications experience, Perez will share how Project Recover combines historical research, advanced technology, underwater archaeology and international partnerships to locate America’s missing servicemembers and provide long-awaited answers to their families.
Proceeds from the Empty Chair Gala will support Project Recover’s mission to locate and repatriate America’s missing servicemembers while also supporting Post 247’s POW/MIA Monument, ensuring that the sacrifices of those still unaccounted for are honored both nationally and within the local community.
The event follows another significant milestone for Post 247. On Sept. 18, the post will dedicate the permanent monument during a public ceremony in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Together, the dedication and gala will create a weekend focused on honoring those who remain missing and renewing the nation’s commitment to account for every American who served.
Pinsky said that commitment is also closely connected to The American Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention initiative, which encourages Legionnaires and community members to take meaningful action when a veteran may be struggling.
“Nothing reminds a servicemember or veteran of their value more powerfully than seeing how faithfully our nation continues to honor its prisoners of war and search for those still missing in action,” Pinsky said. “When we remember our POWs and MIAs, we send a message to every person who has worn the uniform: Your service matters, your sacrifice matters and you will never be forgotten. That is the heart of Be the One.”
While the gala serves as a fundraiser, organizers say its deeper purpose is education.
For many Americans, the POW/MIA issue may seem like a chapter of history. For families still awaiting answers, however, it remains an ongoing reality. More than 81,000 American servicemembers remain unaccounted for from conflicts dating back to World War II. Their names represent not only unfinished military missions but also unfinished family stories.
Guests attending the gala will enjoy dinner, fellowship, a silent auction, and presentations highlighting the continuing effort to recover America’s missing heroes. Throughout the evening, the empty chair will stand as a visible reminder that the nation’s obligation does not end when the fighting stops.
Pinsky said the monument dedication and gala also represent something equally important: the power of the American Legion Family working together.
“These events are a tribute to the extraordinary teamwork, talent and commitment of our American Legion Post 247 and Auxiliary Unit 247 family,” Pinsky said. “A project of this scale doesn’t happen because of one person or one idea. It takes people willing to give their time, share their talents, solve problems and carry the mission together. Building a permanent POW/MIA monument, organizing a community gala with national significance, and supporting organizations like Project Recover require dedication and resources far beyond what any individual can provide. I couldn’t be more proud of what our Legion Family has accomplished together.”
He added that the projects reflect the Legion’s long tradition of veterans continuing to serve their communities long after their military service has ended, proving that teamwork and shared purpose remain among the organization’s greatest strengths.
Those interested in attending, becoming sponsors or learning more about the event can visit www.powmiaproject.com.
For Post 247, the event reflects one of the organization’s founding principles: ensuring that the sacrifices of America’s veterans are remembered not only through words, but through action.
“Our mission isn’t simply to remember the missing,” Pinsky said. “It’s to help bring them home whenever possible and to stand beside the families who have carried that burden for generations. Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship secured and every conversation started helps keep that promise alive.”
The Empty Chair Gala begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Inn at Kelly’s Ford in Remington.
