The Stewart County POW/MIA ceremony was conducted by Dover Squadron 72, Sons of The American Legion at First Christian Church, Dover, Tenn. Commander Don Bailey was the master of ceremonies, and Chaplain Brian Gelande performed the opening and closing prayers. Squadron 72 members Jody Batton, Hoyt Morrow and Heiko Edelhauser assisted with the display setup and ceremony. We thank those who attended today's ceremony.
Yet it is in remembering our fallen comrades that we are reminded of those whose fate is still unknown, those still listed as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. 4,422 Americans are still unaccounted for from World War I; more than 71,000 from World War II; 7,353 from Korea; and 1,565 from Vietnam. These courageous Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedom, will never be forgotten.
Tennessee has a total of 1,478 POW/MIAs: 92 WWI, 1196 WWII, 165 Korea and 25 Vietnam. Through the 72 Family's research into the names listed on the Stewart County War Memorial, nine have been identified as POW/MIAs: three from WWI, three from WWII, two from Korea and one from Vietnam.
Roll call was performed, and the information and photos (some photos were not available) were displayed to honor and remember each of the nine POW/MIA servicemen: Judson W. Dennis, SGT, U.S. Army, WWI, Tharp, TN; William E. Largent, PVT, U.S. Army, WWI, Ft. Henry, TN; Austin R. Whaley, PFC, U.S. Army, WWI, Model, TN; Geoffrey D. Outland, PVT, U.S. Army, WWII, Model, TN; Chester E. Stafford, CPL, U.S. Army, WWII, Dover, TN; Harley W. Coulter, PVT, U.S. Army, WWII, Dover, TN; William C. Mann, CPL, U.S. Army, Korea, Indian Mound, TN; Donald E. Wallace, CPL, U.S. Army, Korea, Dover, TN; and John B. Causey, CPT, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam Dover, TN. We closed the ceremony in prayer and remembrance. Nine POW/MIA flags are being flown in front of the Stewart County Visitors Center. Each flag has a tag attached to it with the information of one of those still missing.
The families of those listed as POW/MIA remember them each day. It is our hope that one day each and every POW/MIA shall be returned home and those families could finally have closure. Until then, let us remember those still missing and unaccounted for and their families, who have continued to keep the faith that their loved one’s homecoming will finally be a reality.