Nearly 100 hospital staff members, former prisoners of war and other guests attended Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton's 26th Annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Remembrance Ceremony, Sept. 16.

The event was held at the POW/MIA memorial site located on the south side of the hospital, and included the laying of a wreath in remembrance of the service members who were lost or are still missing in action, the reading of the litany of remembrance, a moment of silence, and the playing of taps.

The guest speaker for the event was Mrs. Vicki Miller, eho has been NHCP's POW/MIA program coordinator for the past 26 years. During her speech, Mrs. Miller recounted all of her memories from hosting the event for so many years.

"As I've worked with this program the past 26 years, I've met and become close to many of the former POWs and looked forward to seeing them and their families each year," said Miller. "One thing I've learned about each and every prisoner of war or a family member of someone missing in action is that they are all truly America's strongest and finest heroes."

Before the conclusion of this year's remembrance ceremony, members of NHCP's First Class Petty Officer Association released black and white balloons as the names of the six hospital corpsmen still missing from the Vietnam War were read. There were 12 missing corpsmen 26 years ago.

"Today, many Americans are still missing and we must remind everyone that when even one American is still missing, we cannot and should not rest," said Miller. "I take pride that these programs have touched so many people each and every year. I will be turning over the event planning next year but plan to continue attending as long as I can."

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