April 16, 2008 12:44 am
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By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The family of a Monett man who was lost in Laos during the Vietnam War will be honored Saturday during an event designed for remembering prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Carthage residents are among those organizing the event — the Missouri POW/MIA Awareness Run, sponsored by Rolling Thunder Missouri Chapter No. 3. The program honoring veterans from Missouri will be held at noon at Monett City Park. Some local residents will travel to Monett as a group. They will start at 9 a.m. at the Carthage VFW Hall on West Oak Street, just off Missouri Highway 171.
“You don’t have to be a veteran or a member,” said David Jones, of Carthage. “Anyone who wants to join in and support the cause is welcome.”
Organizers hope the Monett gathering will attract new members for Rolling Thunder, which works to support military veterans and emphasizes the need for a complete accounting of U.S. troops still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action, said Art Monroe, of Carthage, who is vice president of the organization.
“We’re just trying to continue to raise awareness, because we want them all accounted for — and we want to make sure our veterans are well cared for when they get back,” Jones said.
Planners also hope the gathering will become an annual event, said John Williams, of Aurora, chapter president.
He said other states are having events, patterned after the national gathering held each Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C.
Saturday’s event will feature state Reps. Don Ruzicka, R-Mount Vernon, and David Sater, R-Cassville, who will read aloud the names of the 55 veterans from Missouri who still are listed as prisoners of war or missing in action from the Vietnam War.
Guests of honor will be the family of Air Force Capt. Thomas Hubert Wolfe, of Monett, whose plane crashed in Laos on June 28, 1966. Wolfe’s body was never recovered. He was classified in 1973 as killed in action.
Margaret Salsman, of Monett, Wolfe’s sister, will be a special guest, along with other members of the family, Williams said. He said Wolfe’s daughter also is a veteran, and his grandson is serving in Iraq.
“This family has suffered for years from not knowing for sure what happened to their loved one,” Williams said.
Saturday’s program also will feature the Monett High School Junior ROTC color guard and a speech by Tom Chandler, of Sedalia, who served three tours in Vietnam and is retired from the Air Force.
“We’re hoping for a big turnout,” said Bryon Rohr, of Carl Junction.
H.R. 111
The national Rolling Thunder group is working to support passage of U.S. House Resolution 111, which would establish a House Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs.
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