VERO BEACH – The Veterans Council of Indian River County is hosting a candlelight vigil to remember those members of our military who served in prison camps or who never returned home from war.
The ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Island Sanctuary on Friday, Sept. 21. The service will highlight our National POW/MIA week.
“According to the Defense Department Prisoner of War/Missing Personal report, over 83,000 military are unaccounted for from past conflicts,” said Terry Mack, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3918 in Vero Beach, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
“We are reaching out to all former POWs and the families of veterans missing in action to join us for this solemn ceremony. We ask that these honored members of our community make their presence known as the ceremony begins,” Mack added.
The ceremony will include recognition of former POWs and a moment of silence for those members of the military who never returned home and a salute to the families who never learned the fate of their loved ones.
Also, the ceremony will include live singing, followed by lighting of candles, the placing of a wreath at the POW/MIA monument, a rifle salute from the VFW Honor Guard, the playing of Taps, and a bagpipe performance.
Mr. Mack suggests the community come pay tribute to our heroes.
“I recommend that visitors bring lawn chairs and perhaps flashlights to ensure safety for all as we leave the beautiful island,” Mack replied.