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09/05/2023 12:51 PMOn Friday, Sept. 15, at 4:30 p.m., local veterans will host a meaningful ceremony on the Branford green to mark National POW/MIA Recognition Day. They’re hoping that many community members from Branford and beyond will come out to show their support during this powerful event.
Established in 1979, the day is recognized annually on the third Friday of September with a national event at The Pentagon, as well as through military and veteran organization observances across the country, such as the one planned for Branford.
The common purpose of these ceremonies is to honor those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing, said local event co-organizer and veteran Ed Masotta of Branford.
Masotta is co-organizing the event with fellow Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12106 members Bill Savastano and Chuck Larkins, both North Branford residents, and VFW Post 1206 Commander Elliot Hastings of Branford.
This is the group’s first effort to hold a POW/MIA Recognition Day event in Branford. The group has also invited participation from District 2 (New Haven county) veterans’ organizations. The ceremony will be held at the Showmobile stage on the Branford Green and will involve support from additional VFW members and Branford American Legion Post 83 members.
In addition to discussing the significance of POW/MIA Recognition Day, the organizers plan to read aloud the names of the 25 Connecticut POW/MIAs. The ceremony will also include the display and explanation of the Missing Man Table, which involves a solitary place setting to remind viewers of those fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. military members. The explanation will be provided by American Legion Post 83’s Jack Dougherty, corporal, USMC Retired. Prayer for the event will be provided by Rev. Bill Keane.
Organizers are also hoping that any community members who have POW/MIA bracelets or wristbands in their possession, which they are no longer wearing or are otherwise unsure of what to do with, will bring them to the event and contribute them to a commemorative display project that is being planned by the group.
“For now, we want to put them on display at the VFW Hall or make some more of a permanent display somewhere else,” said Masotta.
Those who want to donate a bracelet or wristband but can’t attend the Sept. 15 event can instead drop them off in the flag receptacle outside of the VFW Hall at 99 Indian Neck Avenue.
Creating the display and holding the Sept. 15 event are ways to help ensure that POWs and MIAs are not forgotten, said Masotta.
“It’s important because we can’t forget,” said Masotta.”We can’t forget our POWs. We can’t forget our MIAs. It also helps the families who still don’t know what’s going on with their loved ones.”