POW/MIA Day (9/20/13)

Earlier today I had the opportunity to cover a celebration of Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D.

This assignment was of some personal importance for me, as well. My grandpa was a P.O.W. in World War II in Germany.

My grandpa, who passed away in August of 2006, was my hero.

This assignment was a great reminder of how important my grandpa is to me.

I also felt this assignment was important because the number of living World War II vets are dwindling, and the number of living WWII vets that were prisoners is fewer yet.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the assignment. Enjoy.  

More photos here.

Steve Feimer, a professor at the University of South Dakota and author, speaks during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Charles Dawes, a prisoner of war during World War II, sings the National Anthem while others salute during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

George Sterler, a prisoner of war during World War II, talks with others at his table during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Chaplain Joann Lemme speaks during a memorial during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Bill Vermillion, a prisoner of war during World War II, listens during a memorial during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Marion Jaycox, a prisoner of war during World War II, talks with others at his table during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Chyrell Krier speaks about her father, who was a prisoner of war during World War II, during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Jack Bontje, a prisoner of war during the Korean War, listens as Chaplain Joann Lemme speaks during a memorial during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Don Dahlin, South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Senior Vice Commander, speaks about his experience talking with other veterans about their combat experience during a memorial during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Judy Johnson speaks during a memorial during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Nancy Puhrman, of Lake Park, Iowa, talks with Charles Dawes, a prisoner of war during World War II, during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Don Dahlin, South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Senior Vice Commander, shows photos to Gene Murphy, treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans agency, during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Charles Dawes, a prisoner of war during World War II, laughs after reciting the lase verse of a poem he wrote while being held captive during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Steve Feimer, University of South Dakota professor and author, speaks during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Bill Vermillion, a prisoner of war during World War II, looks on as Steve Feimer (not pictured), a professor at the University of South Dakota and author, gives a presentation about him during a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action day event at the Disabled American Veterans Agency in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Tribute to a hero...

Tribute to a hero.

In light of Memorial Day, Lauren and I visited the grave of my grandpa.

Clyde Statton was not only a great grandpa but was a World War II veteran. Grandpa served in World War II in the 94th Infantry Division as a part of Patton's 3rd Army in Europe. He was a P.O.W., but was liberated and lived a happy life. He passed away in August of 2006, and has been greatly missed.

Grandpa was a great hero and inspiration. He was never short of one-liners, or tips on how to stack wood, tap maple trees, weld or pretty much anything mechanically. He was a great engineer.

Today Lauren and I placed an American Flag near his head-stone, just like my other cousins and aunts and uncles.

Happy Memorial Day to all living vets and those who have passed. And to those who have payed the ultimate price, we thank you especially. 

And finally, thank you grandpa. Thank you for being a great grandpa, and thank you for what you did for your country. I can speak for all in my family in saying, we miss you. 

Thanks for reading and happy Memorial Day. 

©Joe Ahlquist