For those who served and those who remain missing

POW / MIA events held in Warren, Niles

WARREN -- For 24 hours, local veterans and veteran supporters set up a special display in Courthouse Square to remember those who served and still are missing.

The annual event was part of the national Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day, which was held in many area communities, including Warren and Niles. The day is to honor and remember the service members who were captured and killed or who remain missing.

Brian Taylor of Warren said the event began at noon Friday and will continue through noon today.

He said in 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter declared the third Friday in September as National POW/ MIA Day and every president since has signed the proclamation to continue that tradition.

Taylor said the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club supports POW / MIA causes, veteran outreach and veteran programs.

"We do a 24-hour vigil here in remembrance of the thousands of missing veterans from every different conflict that has faced this country," Taylor said, including the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He said this is the second year the motorcycle club has hosted the local event, taking the helm from previous sponsor groups.

Volunteers take turns during the 24 hours sitting inside a small wooden cage that shows what it was like for prisoners to have to sit in a cage while being held captive in other countries.

There also are large signs with names of missing veterans from across Ohio that includes when they went missing and where they lived at the time.

It is estimated that 3,349 veterans are missing from World War I; 73,677 from World War II; 126 from the Cold War; 7,921 from the Korean War; 1,651 from the Vietnam War; two from the Gulf War; and one from Operation Enduring Freedom.

There also was a POW/ MIA table set up to show concern for missing veterans. The table contained a rose, vase, candle, slice of lemon, pinch of salt and a Bible, with each symbolizing something connected to military service.

Taylor, who is a veteran supporter, said he has family who served in the Vietnam War, including some who did not come home and others who did and later died from Agent Orange.

Frank Rienzi of Warren, who served during the Iraq / Afghanistan wars, said he did not feel like he was inside a cage during his time sitting in it.

"It's a different world we live in today. People don't respect the military and police officers like they used to," he said.

Dale McDaniel of Howland, a Vietnam veteran, said it is important that the soldiers who are missing still be recognized.

"They went through hell. Many gave their life for this country. We are the lucky ones because we served and are still alive," McDaniel said.

He spent two hours inside the cage on Friday.

"A lot of people have stopped by and asked me questions. A lot of veterans have stopped, and many people who eat lunch here stopped to see what we are doing," McDaniel said.

Tim Jones of Warren, a Navy veteran, stopped to see the display.

"Seeing this means something to me since I am a veteran." he said.