Over the past few months we have experienced the deaths of 2 remarkable people: Sen. John McCain, and President George H. W. Bush. Both have been remembered for their integrity.
With the passing of Sen. McCain I was compelled to recall that the President could not see him as a “hero,” as heroes do not get captured. As a Vet, I was very angry. No one wants to be a POW, and being a POW often was a horrific experience. That got me thinking, and with the death of President Bush culminated in an idea that I would like to put forth to our state legislature. And, that idea is to have a Day of Remembrance for POWs from all of our wars. From the horrors that Andersonville inflicted, to those in POW camps in the Philippines, to those in Europe, Korea, Viet Nam and everywhere else. Let us have a day to honor their sacrifices. Further I would propose that that day be March 14th. Why March 14th? March 14th was the day that John McCain was released from being a POW. As such, I propose that that day be called The John McCain POWs Day of Remembrance.
It need not be a holiday, but just as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and others are a day set aside to remember the courage, and tenacity of those who suffered at the hands of America’s attackers.
As such, I am calling upon my many friends who still serve in in our legislature, and the many others who have worked with me in elections, civic and civil community service; those that helped me to set up the Vets Club at HCC, that still exists; that at read my editorials, remember me from being a City Councilor, or as Chair of the Westfield Democratic Committee to join with me to make this happen. I am awaiting the return of my State Rep., John Velis, from his tour of duty, so that he and our Good State Senator Don Humason may be the ones to introduce this to the General Court when it returns to session in Jan. In the mean time I am seeking a place to gather signatures on a petition, preferably not out in the freezing weather, any help on that would be more than welcome as well. I am a Vet, (68-71, Hdqtrs and A Co., 703rd Mt. Bn. Of the 3rd Infantry Div.), and while I was only in for 3 years, I had the distinct honor to meet those who had been in combat, as made noticeable by the scar tissue left a across their bodies, the screaming out in the middle of the night; yet ready and willing to go back and endure it again. Imagine POW’s not knowing whether some enemy officer was to have them dragged to a cell to be tortured, or shot. So to this sense of duty to them that served in such a dire capacity, I call upon the good people of Westfield to join with me in this endeavor. Brian Hoose, [email protected] (due to the circumstances of my retirement I have limited my funds to E-mail accessibility)
