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By TARA REILLY; Times Leader Correspondent
Friday, September 26, 1997     Page: 3A

WILKES-BARRE- Those who served were not forgotten.
   
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center held a POW and MIA
Recognition Day on Thursday to honor soldiers who fought in America’s
20th-century wars.
    Deputy Adjutant General John Patten reminded the crowd of about 100
veterans and their families of the 90,000 soldiers that have not yet been
accounted for.
   
“They still serve, but they do not answer when their names are called, ”
Patten said. “Today is a day when we have reason to pause, to reflect, to
remember. As long as we do this, those who are gone will not be forgotten.”
   
Guest speaker VFW State Commander Peter Krenitsky said the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans are playing
strong roles in finding missing soldiers.
   
“The VFW became the first service organization to go to Vietnam to bring
home facts to the general public,” Krenitsky said.
   
Maj. Gen. James MacVay asked how many Americans think of the people serving
their country on a day-to-day basis.
   
“We’re on a crusade to awaken Americans to all that you have done for your
country,” he said to the veterans.
   
Chief Executive Officer Reedes Hurt said that out of the 142,250 soldiers
captured, fewer than half are alive today.
   
“Their service is a source of our inspiration,” Hurt said.
   
TIMES LEADER/RICHARD SABATURA
   
Paul Demciak of Gouldsboro was a prisoner of war during World War II. He
attended the POW/MIA Recognition Day at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Center.