Yuma Proving Ground Commander keynotes local POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony

By Mark SchauerSeptember 14, 2023

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson speaks at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson speaks at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. (Photo Credit: Mark Schauer) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson speaks with attendees at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. Nelson served as keynote speaker at the event.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson speaks with attendees at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. Nelson served as keynote speaker at the event. (Photo Credit: Mark Schauer) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson (left) is interviewed by KYMA-TV Anchor Samantha Byrd at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. Nelson served as the event's keynote...
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson (left) is interviewed by KYMA-TV Anchor Samantha Byrd at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. Nelson served as the event's keynote speaker. (Photo Credit: Mark Schauer) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson (left) chats with Yuma City Councilmember Art Morales at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. Nelson served as the event's keynote...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson (left) chats with Yuma City Councilmember Art Morales at American Legion Post #19's annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023. Nelson served as the event's keynote speaker. (Photo Credit: Mark Schauer) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. John Nelson served as keynote speaker at American Legion Post #19’s Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Remembrance Ceremony on September 14, 2023.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, nearly 140,000 Americans were prisoners of war during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars, and other conflicts. More than 81,000 Americans remain missing from those same conflicts.

“This hurts especially badly given our core belief that we never leave a comrade behind,” said Nelson in his remarks. “We are joining here to reaffirm a sacred creed to remember those who returned safely, but also those who are missing, and to pledge our commitment to the fullest possible accounting of every warrior who has defended the freest nation in the history of the world.”