This group of photos highlights the plaque dedication on Sept. 22, 2006. At the left are Art Starratt and Tech. Sgt. James Branch. Mr. Starratt is pictured on the plaque and James designed the plaque.

Dr. Eugene Williams at the right described the suffering of war. After the ceremony he said, "The POW/MIA ceremony was a renewed reminder to me that freedom is not free! No where during World War II was this more evident than in Hitler's devastating and massive counter-offensive in the Ardennes during December 1944, centered around Saint Vith and Bastogne, Belgium, where the Allied casualty count totaled 10,276 killed, 47,493 wounded and 23,278 missing-in-action. This was an awesome price to pay for an 83-mile stretch of frozen real estate to keep Hitler's panzer-led German forces from recapturing the strategic port city of Antwerp."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

The Dobbins tree planting always brings together those serving today with those who've served before. Below Lt. Col. Irvin, 22nd Air Force, and Ewell Black, a World War II POW. Mr. Black is active in World War II POW groups and serves as a chaplain for one group.

And a couple more images of the day. At the right, David Felix, our main man for sound. He wired Dr. Williams to make him mobile for his talk. David is a civilian employee at the base and has been setting up sound systems for nearly 10 years.

At the lower left is an overall photo of the ceremony, and below are a couple of retired chiefs who pitched in to accept any donations. Retired chiefs Linda Ersery and James Roshak accepted park decoration donations.