Crane Army Ammunition Activity Commander Col. Joe Dixon talks with Naomi Summerlot, widow of former POW Edward Summerlot who served in World War II from 1943-45, prior to the start of the annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day Cerem...
Crane Army Ammunition Activity joined with Naval Support Activity Crane and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, in hosting its annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day Ceremony on Naval Support Activity Crane Sept. 11. Nine ...
CRANE, Ind. -- Crane Army Ammunition Activity joined with Naval Support Activity Crane and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, in hosting its annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day Ceremony here Sept. 11.
Nine former POWs and two spouses of a deceased former POW were honored during the joint military ceremony. Civilian and uniformed members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard were on hand to pay tribute. During the ceremony, Crane honored the guests at a luncheon where many of the veterans provided testimonials of their experiences as POWs.
The annual event has allowed former prisoners of war to get to know each other better while being honored. Many of them expressed their gratitude for the event and appreciated that the people at Crane remembered those who were POWs. Some told the crowd about the conditions they endured during their time of captivity.
The former commanding officer for NSWC Crane Division, Navy Capt. (ret.) Charles LaSota, was the guest speaker. During his speech he reflected on what those who were prisoners of war endured for their country and the strength of their resolve to survive.
"America's former POWs are a reminder of how tough and resilient the American Spirit truly is. There is a common thread among all of our former POWs: their tenacity and determination to never give up. No matter what would happen to them they refused to give up their humanity and dignity," LaSota said.
A seven-man firing party from the Crane and Odon Veterans of Foreign Wars posts fired three volleys while Taps played to honor those who are missing and who died in action. The Bloomfield High School choir group, Center Stage, performed during the ceremony and the Bloomfield High School NJROTC provided the color guard for the ceremony.
Crane leadership in attendance included Crane Army Commander Col. Joe Dixon, NSWC Crane Division Commanding Officer Capt. JT Elder, NSA Crane Commanding Officer Cmdr. Timothy Craddock and Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Wiegleb, Navy Supply Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk-Crane Site Director Cmdr. David Laramie and the Master of Ceremony Crane EOD Detachment Officer in Charge Lt. Brian Kirk.
Following the ceremony, Dixon reflected on the importance of Crane hosting a ceremony like this that invited in the local community.
"It is really something special that we are able to invite the former POWs to share in this recognition ceremony. And I think the fact that we have the students from the Bloomfield JROTC and choir here makes it even more so. They have a chance to hear their testimonials," Dixon said. "The reality is that every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine understands he or she might be captured or go missing. But it means a lot to us all to know that our country takes time to remember those who were prisoners of war, the missing and their families."
Established October 1977, Crane Army Ammunition Activity maintains ordnance professionals and infrastructure in order to receive, store, ship, produce, renovate and demilitarize conventional ammunition, missiles and related components. Crane Army maintains up to one third of the DoD's conventional ammunition inventory. The Activity also provides command oversight of Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Letterkenny Munitions Center, Pennsylvania, and Milan Army Ammunition Plant, Tennessee.
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