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We have been a non profit 501
(c)(3) since
November 11, 1989. [#42-1360-341] Our federal tax-exempt I.R.S. status is based on our
"education - information distribution" classification.
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We were the first to have a Computer
Bulletin Board System totally dedicated to the POW issue.
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We can truly say that BBS, the information
distributed, and those that used it for timely information helped pass the bill that
established the Senate Hearings on the POW issue in 1992. That same hearing cleared our
organization with a finding of legitimacy, and total volunteer effort. The Senate stated
we had one of the largest computerized libraries of POW information available to the
public. This finding was published in their final report.
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We are the unofficial historians for the
803
Prisoners of War that returned during Vietnam.
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We have the only searchable, copyrighted
data base of biographies available for home use on ALL the POWs from the Vietnam conflict.
The data base is used worldwide by researchers and concerned individuals alike. It is in
use at the National Park Service, the POW Museum in
Andersonville, GA and the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA. We are the original source for
most POW biographies on the Internet, including those used at SCOPE
Systems.
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We host a historical word searchable archive
to help with special research. It contains family letters, shared documents, more than one
thousand five hundred pages of live sighting reports, transcripts of testimony, news
articles, and various United States Government lists. Thousands of articles are in the
archive.
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Our material has been used by Congress to
prove fraud or truth. We have helped Senators and Congressmen alike research the issue.
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We have provided documentation for TV
documentaries, books and newspaper articles, coast-to-coast and around the world.
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We currently help the United States Navy
Bureau of Personnel return bracelets to the living POWs. We personally forward all
bracelets or letters to POWs from any branch of the service.
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We answer all questions regarding, "Did
he come home?" or, "Was he really a POW?" Fraudulent
POWs are publicly exposed on the Internet and reported to authorities.
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We provide information on
how
and where to get a flag, bracelet, or other awareness items.
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We have in the past hosted vigils and
candlelight services. We speak on the Prisoner of War issue whenever asked, no matter how
large or small the crowd. We have all been guests on television and radio talk
shows many times over the years. Several thousand people attended the candle light service on the Mall in Washington DC one Memorial Day when we spoke. We have provided all
this information at "remote" sites during reunions or veterans affairs. In
addition to the computerized information, we carry maps, books, print material,
rosters, pictures, and any other relevant material we can.
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We spend seven days in Branson,
Missouri, every
Veterans Day during "Branson Veteran's Homecoming."
Our events there have become our largest annual undertaking. We
also host the Annual Military Gala & Banquet -
the formal affair held in Branson during Veterans Homecoming each year.
We are committee chairs for COMMAND CENTER BRANSON, the exhibit hall with
information, pins, patches and more. In 2001 the GALA hosted over 700
veterans and friends. Joining us were 7 Medal of Honor recipients,
numerous former POWs, Chosin Few survivors, 40 members of the Army
Nurse Corps, retired and active duty officers, Senators and
Representatives (U.S. and MO), and vets from all branches and
wars. 2002 will have seating for 1000; 2003 seating for up to
2000.
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In April of '98, we joined 180 former
Vietnam Prisoners of War at the Silver Anniversary Dinner hosted by the Nixon Library, in
Yorba Linda, California. In May of '98, we joined more than 280 returnees and 500+ guests
for a four day, Silver Anniversary Reunion in Dallas, Texas. A once-in-a-lifetime event,
we enjoyed a BBQ at H. Ross Perot's "Circle T" ranch, a wonderful evening at the
Cavanaugh Flight Museum, and a formal dinner and concert at Morton Meyerson Symphony Hall.
Each day during the reunion, we continued the updates on these living hero's
biographies. This work has been our largest recent undertaking. These two
memorable
events allowed for the posting of many of the pictures of returnees you see with the
biographies. Our association as "friends of" NAM-POWs, Inc. is an honor
and a rare privilege.
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The fall of 1998 established a new
collaborative effort between the Son Tay Raiders Association and the P.O.W. NETWORK.
It will be an honor to help maintain the accurate history of the Son Tay Raid, as
well as identify those that fraudulently claim "I was there."
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In 1999, Chuck Schantag and Ron
Petersen were extended an invitation to join the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots
Association. The invitation, extended to less than 17 individuals since the
Association founding, was humbly accepted. The organization is made up of exclusively
of pilots that flew over Vietnam, with the exception of the 17 or so individuals who did
not meet that membership criteria.
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In 2000 we received an
invitation to participate in the US Air Force Academy's 19th annual POW
Symposium in Colorado Springs. POWs from WWII through the Gulf War shard
their experience with the cadets and military scholars or historians
that attended from all parts of the globe. In addition, the collection
of Vietnam POW memorabilia, owned by Lee Humiston, and supported by many
viewing this site, was donated to and placed on permanent display at the
Air Force Academy during the Symposium.
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In 2001, Drew Cottril
joined the board of directors.
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In May 2002, The
NETWORK once again joined former POWS and hundreds of River Rats
for a reunion in Fort Worth, TX. Ross Perot was once again a gracious
event host - hosting almost 750 people at his ranch. Mary and
Chuck Schantag were privileged to spend time with Col. Jim and Phyllis
Hivner at their home in Plano prior to the scheduled reunion. Drew
Cottril once again made history, presenting Col. Hivner and the
P.O.W. NETWORK (each) with a original oil painting. Col. Hivner's was
his 2002 "Freedom Flight".... the NETWORK's..... the
"Mission," as of yet, unfinished. [ The mission unfinished,
not the painting!!) For those of you that are unaware of Drew's
contribution's to the NETWORK - the logo we use was an original oil by
Drew. The copyright to the lithograph was given to the P.O.W. NETWORK
by Drew a couple year's ago.
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In July, 2002, Ron and
Pam Petersen left the NETWORK after many years on the board. The board
of directors is undergoing expansion and reorganization to highlight
the changes over 13 years. The Petersen's expected a first
grandchild in 2002, solving the "free time" dilemma.
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We all have worked
(some now retired), have families, and are unpaid
volunteers. We have no paid employees, and work with a host of experts
that help us around the world. They ask no compensation for their
efforts.
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In November 2001 the
NETWORK hosted the 6th Annual
Military Gala & Banquet. As hosts of the event, Mary and Chuck
Schantag were surprised and honored with the 1st AMBASSADOR'S AWARD
presented by the Ambassador of Patriotism, Mike Radford, for their
work on the POW/MIA issue.
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In November 2003, the
NETWORK hosted the 7th Annual Military Gala & Banquet. The guest
of honor and recipient of the 2003 AMBASSADOR'S AWARD was H. Ross
Perot. He was honored for more than 50 years of contributions to
veterans, POW/MIA families and POW returnees.
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In May, 2005, The P.O.W.
NETWORK was named Red River Valley Fighter Pilot's "Association
of the Year."
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In December 2007, the
resignation of Drew Cottril was reluctantly accepted. Terri Howard has
replaced Drew and will continue her 18 year association with the
Network in a now official capacity.
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In February 2008,
Advisory Board member Daem O'Keeffe resigned due to health problems.
Sharon Robinson accepted the position to replace him.
