Supporters and advocates of the 83,000 Americans who remain prisoners of war or missing in action gathered Friday in the Capitol Rotunda to remember and honor their sacrifices.
On Friday, this year's National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Jefferson City received a proclamation as well as a sign that recognizes the Capital City as one of many designated POW/MIA cities.
Don Hentges, president of the Jefferson City Veterans Council, said he is proud the city is participating in remembering these servicemen.
"The more info we have out there, the more people understand the sacrifices these servicemen make for our country. They suffered a lot, and we can never forget that," Hentges said.
Retired Col. John Clark, of Columbia, served in the military for 30 years and was captured as a POW for six years during the Vietnam War. He was 27 years old when he was shot and captured.
"This is a wonderful thing Jefferson City is doing," Clark said. "The fact we are honoring the POW and the families of those missing in action is very indicative of their support and its greatly appreciated."
Retired Sgt. Ralph Kalberloh served in the Army Aircorps for two years and for three months he too was imprisoned during the Vietnam War. Kalberloh is from Richmond.
Keynote speaker Paul Dillon, president of the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum project in St. Louis, shared his own experience as the son of a POW who was captured by German civilians and eventually turned over to the Nazis during World War II.
He said while growing up, he didn't realize all his father had been through. It wasn't until many years later, during a performance of "The Sound of Music" at the Muny Opera in St. Louis, that he realized the impact his dad's experience had on his life.
The musical depicts Captain Von Trapp and his family escaping from Austria to Switzerland to avoid being commissioned into the German Navy. During the performance, Dillon's father became agitated the Nazi flag hung in the backdrop at the show, shouting he would snatch it down.
"'I fought that flag; I spent years in prison camp staring at that flag. By God, either they better take it down or I will,'" Dillon recalled his father saying. "When he sat down, people patted him on the back as if to say 'thanks for your service' and for fighting the Nazis all over again. At that moment, I went from being totally embarrassed to being proud of him."
During Friday's tribute, members of the VFW Post 1003 Honor Guard paid tribute to missing soldiers, and the American Legion Riders Post 5 presented a wreath in their honor.
"Freedom is not free," emphasized Burt Miriello, Chaplin at Roscoe Enloe American Legion Post, during his final prayer to conclude the service.
After being presented with the proclamation, Mayor Carrie Tergin thanked Dillon for the recognition.
"This is an honor for Jefferson City, and we will uphold the duties of being a POW/MIA city, and will sit proudly on display at City Hall for all to enjoy," Tergin said.