American Legion Holds POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony in Sea Isle City

SEA ISLE CITY – Sept. 15, the City of Sea Isle City hosted the American Legion of Cape May County’s annual POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at Veteran’s Park, where American Legion members, elected officials and other County residents gathered to honor and remember our nation’s Prisoners of War and those who are still Missing in Action. Also in attendance were seven World War 2 veterans, who made the trip to Sea Isle City from the Brookdale Senior Living Home in Cape May Court House.
The event featured many notable moments, including an “Empty Table Ceremony,” during which a “place-setting for one” was displayed on a small table in honor of every POW and MIA who was not able to return home from war.  There was also a “Flag Presentation,” during which the familiar black-and-white POW-MIA flag was prominently displayed and described in detail.
As Cape May County American Legion Commander Sherry Govoni explained during the Flag Presentation, “The POW-MIA flag serves as the symbol of the Nation’s concern and commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans who, having been prisoners of war or missing in action, still remain unaccounted for; and as the symbol of the Nation’s commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans who in the future may become prisoners of war, missing in action, or otherwise unaccounted for as a result of hostile action.”
Also during the Recognition Day Ceremony, tributes were made, patriotic hymns were sung, poems were read, a wreath was placed at the base of the park’s Memorial Fountain, Amazing Grace was performed on a bag pipes, prayers were offered, and Taps was played on a lone bugle.
For many, the most memorable part of the ceremony took place when Dale Roach, the son of World War 2 POW Harrison “Mickey” Roach, stepped to the podium. During his account of his father’s experience as a POW in a German prison camp, Mr. Roach explained that his Dad lost nearly 50 pounds after entering Luftwaffe Stalag One prison in December 1944, and he weighed less than 100 pounds just six months later, when he was liberated in May 1945. Mr. Roach also noted that his father, a tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress, who was shot down during a bombing raid, did not like to speak about the war – or being in Stalag One. In fact, much of what he learned about his father’s experiences during World War 2 came from Harrison’s fellow B-17 crew-mates.
“We are very grateful that Sea Isle City hosted our POW-MIA ceremony at their beautiful and spiritual Veteran’s Park,” said Commander Govoni.  “We look forward to gathering with our friends in Sea Isle again for years to come – especially each Recognition Day, which occurs on the third Friday in September.
“Whenever we can remind others about the amazing sacrifices that have been made by our American Prisoners of War and those who are Missing in Action, we here in Sea Isle are more than happy to do so,” said Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio.  “I applaud the American Legion for recognizing the importance of remembering each and every one of our nation’s warriors – and the importance of bringing each of them home.”
For additional information about the Cape May County American Legion, please phone 914-523-4864.