A Donation Of Hope

phillyBurbs.com - Philadelphia, PA, USA

A donation of hope

By TODD MCHALE
Burlington County Times

DELRAN — Pam Cain may have had to leave her home in Virginia in the early morning hours to get here on time, but it was definitely worth it.

The board member of the National League of POW/MIA Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia was in town to accept a much-needed donation from participants of the Seventh Annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony, which was hosted by Assemblyman Jack Conners, D-7th of Pennsauken, in September.

“I just can't thank you enough for what this does to our efforts to keep up the fight. And it is a fight,” Cain said of the POW / MIA advocacy organization's ongoing pursuit to find all the missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

She said the organization, based in Arlington, Va., that promotes POW/MIA awareness and recovery missions couldn't make it without the support of organizations such as VFW Post 3020 in Delran and all the participants of the local remembrance ceremony.

The post and sponsors of the ceremony teamed to donate $5,000 to the POW/MIA advocacy group.

“Our organization can't do it without you,” said Cain, who lived in Mount Holly as a baby when her father, Col. Oscar Mauterer, was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base.

Her father has been missing since Feb. 15, 1966, after his plane went down in Laos. He was reported as a possible capture by the North Vietnamese security forces.

Cain said she understands people have more urgent needs now, but she hopes Americans won't forget about the men who sacrificed for their country.

“We just want people to know we're still here as long as there are still men and women that we need to bring home,” Cain said.

Conners said he's just glad the sponsors of the remembrance ceremony and the VFW Post 3020 were able to donate to such a great cause.

“With this donation, the National League of POW/MIA Families will be able to continue their efforts in making sure that our country will not forget and will bring them home,” he said.

According to the group's Web site, 1,746 Americans are listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War period. More than 450 were lost over the sea or bodies of water.

Conners said the POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony is primarily to honor the veterans and their families, but it was nice to be able to raise enough money this year to donate some of it to such a worthy cause.

“I am proud to be able to make this presentation and wish to recognize the support I have had these last seven years from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3020 as well as all our veterans, community, local businesses, corporation and individuals who without each and everyone this would not be possible,” Conners said.

Tom Farrell, commander of VFW Post 3020, said it was an honor to give to such an important nonprofit organization.

“We feel very strongly that you can't leave our people behind,” Farrell said. “Our military personnel need to be found no matter where they are.”

Assemblyman Herb Cona-way, D-7th of Delanco, said the work of nonprofits such as National League of POW/MIA Families cannot be underestimated.

“Their actions and advocacy bring hope to families throughout the country by letting them know that their loved ones are not forgotten,” Conaway said.

Cain said she's touched by the donation and all the support.

“In a time when money is tight to receive a donation like this is very special,” she said.

Contact Todd McHale at tmchale@phillyburbs.com.