Approximate - Prisoners Of War Figures As Relates To HR 2369

[HARDCORE]

I just got these figures in and I trust that they are fairly accurate. Thought that they would interest you....

Below are the statistics regarding American POW held by foreign powers since 7 December 1941:

World War 2
Captured 130,201
Died in Captivity 14,072
Came home 116,129

Korean War
Captured 7140
Died in Captivity 2701
Came home 4418

Viet Nam
Captured 766
Died in Captivity 114
Came home 651

For the period covered by HR 2369, Honor Our Fallen POWS Act (Dec 7, 1941 to Present), here are some additional figures....

Captured 139,107
Died in Captivity 16,887
Came home 121,198

Allowing for approximately 2% to have been awarded a Purple Heart of those who died in enemy captivity, that leave about 16,550 who were not awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

NOTE: Statistics for the Korean War seem to be a bit confusing when compared to other wars. This is not official, but one can add an additional 1000 to the number captured and 1000 to the list of those who died.

SPECIAL NOTE: I am including WW 1 Stats below for your information:

Captured 4120
Died in Captivity 147
Came home 3973
-------------------------------------------------------------
These figures supplied by Shorty Estabrook, POW for 37 months - Korean War, and Founder of The Tiger Survivors Group. They are as accurate as we can personally come up with at this time....

[HARDCORE]

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD GUYS & GALS - These are our brothers and sisters that we are talking about here!

Would they have forgotten us as easily as many (even among our political leaders) seem to have forgotten them? And in many cases, these patriots never even had their remains returned home!

If many think so little of them that we feel that they do not even merit a posthumous Purple Heart for their mortal sacrifice, then what should the Almighty, history or they themselves, think of us?

Come on fellow patriots - call your representatives in D.C. or at their regional offices and show your support for H.R. 2369 & HR 4259 as well!!!!

"WE MUST NEVER FORGET THESE FALLEN HEROES - NOR CAN WE EVER LET OUR GOVERNMENT FORGET THAT WITHOUT THEIR SACRIFICES, EVEN GOVERNMENT ITSELF COULD NOT EXIST!!!!"

[HARDCORE]

GREAT NEWS -

For the record, and it is now official I believe, we will have this bi-partisan Bill (HR 2369) introduced into the Senate as a companion Bill to the House version on 12 December 2005 by Senator Boxer of California. We will let you all know what number it will carry in the Senate!!

Rick & Brenda

[HARDCORE]

The news is apparently getting out there! More and more congresspersons and senators are giving some feed-back. We need more yet - so please get with your representatives and express your support!

THANK YOU!!!

[HARDCORE]

Just received a copy of the news conference tape of November 4, 2005 (Channel, 6 Fox). It came across as very good and I hope that it will get more lawmakers to support this Bill!!

RICK

[HARDCORE]

Just got back from our annual junket to Northern Arizona for Thanksgiving with our youngest son at university. Went up to Jerome (Semi-ghost-town). They pulled over a Billion Dollars in copper, gold, silver and platinum out of the mines in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hell, even old Winston Churchill's grandfather had holdings there we are told.

The town had a lot of mines tunneled right underneath it, hotels, bordellos, bars and big homes in it's heyday!

We usually eat at the base of the mountain (Cottonwood). From there, you can look high up into the mountains and see Jerome glistening in the Sun. After a walk in Jerome, we head out, up over Mingus Mountain at 7000' +, and then back down into Prescott (pronounced Press-kitt).

The town (Jerome, Arizona) also has a plaque that commemorates the men from those parts who fought and died in our wars. It again brought to mind this Bill (HR 2369) Honor Our Fallen POWs Act that is now sitting before Congress (House Armed Services Committee).

As I mentioned above, a companion bill will be introduced into the Senate by Barbara Boxer of California on December 12. I hope that it comes up on C-Span and I will let you all know what I find out!

RICK

[HARDCORE]

The push is on to get this Bill moving! Brenda completed mailing (e-mail this time) all 100 U.S. Senators last night. This effort was undertaken to garner their support for a Companion Bill to "Honor Our Fallen Prisoner of War Act" in the Senate as well as the House! Many national veterans organizations now back this Bill and we hope that the number continues to grow!

VERITAS (Rick)