HELLO, AMERICA…DO YOU REMEMBER WE…
(…who still are missing…and never came home to thee?)

If the headline for this issue sounds somewhat familiar to some folks, that’s because we’re paraphrasing the title of a song track from an early album produced by a CW recording artist long time friend of ours, a fellow veteran, and steadfast advocate for the MIA issue… which still lingers on…even after so many years.

For the past twenty years we’ve made our own annual tradition for Memorial Day, one which we’ve kept by getting together to spend the day at a different place each time for the occasion, visiting a local military cemetery to view whatever ceremonies might be there, meeting other veterans and their kin; then, sharing lunch and raising a glass to the memory of those of our band of brothers who are no longer with us. Now days of course we’re finding the glasses we have to raise to do that seems to be growing in number, as the list of those absent…gets longer each year.

Such is what happens with the flow of time. Only individual personal recollections keep any memory of those who are gone…alive. But personal memories fade away, just as those individuals who hold them also, slowly, do the same. Which is why, perhaps, this annual collective ceremonial began at the end of our Civil War…as a way to avoid that. To that end all sorts of monuments for those who fell in that terrible moment in our history were erected to ensure the memory of their sacrifices would never be forgotten…and we’ve done so for those who fell in every conflict ever since.

The great irony here, however, is that on this special day each year we make a grand collective effort to remember all those who died for this country of ours…but not for all those who went missing in those same conflicts which, at last count, total nearly 89,000, from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Thus, bit by bit, as further generations come and go, any memory of them may soon be gone.

Well, for the past twenty years we’ve spent a lot of effort to conceive and refine the design for a way to prevent that from happening. That is, to privately create a special monument in the heart of heartland America dedicated solely to those still missing from all those conflicts. But rather than just being another “monument” the idea is to also combine it with a special library and research center as a national data resource about all these long missing fellow Americans. It would be a place where their families and friends can gather every year in vigils for their ultimate return. So perhaps the time has come now to make an effort for such a MIA monument and center to become reality. The outline of how and in what way to do it…and do it right follows. If you concur with this idea, please let us know.

CENTURION

CONCEPT OUTLINE

for a

NATIONAL MIA MONUMENT CENTER

(vicinity Alma, Kansas)

BACKGROUND:

The genesis of this idea began some twenty years ago following a series of veterans’ chat room exchanges and debates about the MIA issue, mainly as it related to the Vietnam War.

It soon became apparent, however, that the issue was not just about Vietnam, but was much broader than that, and had to include the MIAs of WWII and Korea as well. The combined number of MIAs from all three of these great conflicts of our times totals nearly 89,000+ men (78,000 WWII, 8,100 Korea, and 1,800 still from Vietnam, and 100 from the Cold War Era). In all the grand total may actually be closer to 90,000.

Regrettably, after decades of useless debate and failed efforts to motivate the political establishment to action, nothing has ever really been achieved to resolve and put the MIA issue to rest. It remains in virtual limbo to this day (despite DOD sponsored operations currently performing some search, recovery, and identification efforts, mostly focused on Vietnam missing).

Meanwhile, individual and collective memories about these missing men continue to slowly fade. In some cases several generations have come and gone, and thus these missing are becoming more and more forgotten. Inevitably a time will come when all of them will disappear from memory, unless something is done to prevent it.

ESTABLISHING AND INITIATING THE PROJECT:

What is proposed here is a private initiative to create a lasting way to maintain our collective remembrance of all these MIAs. What follows is an outline showing how, where, and in what way that can be accomplished.

And the key to doing that is to ensure such an effort remains entirely a private one, totally removed from any political channels or connections. To that end, setting up a dedicated 501 (c) (3) non-profit entity as the organizing, fundraising, and operating mechanism, is the “how” to activate this project.

While there is a somewhat jaundiced view of such entities, particularly as to their actual effectiveness, the purpose behind setting up such an organization is to use the current applicable tax advantages these provide. That is, as such, it will be able to enhance whatever donations with contributions of money, goods, and services received for this purpose. In short, as a 501 (c) (3) entity, much of the costs required to set up, construct, and sustain ongoing operating costs to maintain such a place, can be offset and reduced.

Suppliers of goods and services will be able to contribute these at market rates, in exchange for a tax write-off against other revenues. That, in turn, will reduce the actual cash amounts that need to be solicited.

As to the “where”, having it located on privately owned land, in the very center of the American heartland, is as ideal and appropriate a location as could be had. Locating it in the heartland of America is symbolic. Having it on private property, keeps any potential political aspects at bay, allowing we, the people, to remember our own even if politicians can’t – or won’t.

Preliminary map and field surveys have narrowed the search to the vicinity of ALMA, in Wabaunsee County, Kansas. Just south of I-70, between Topeka and Ft. Riley, the area offers a number of advantages:

• It’s almost at or near the geographical center of the USA.
• The area offers the rim rock/outcrop type topography desired.
• It is relatively easy to reach either by air or road, from any part of the country.
• The area is mostly rural, and lightly populated.
• Land prices for the type of upland desired are modest.

Thus, a parcel of approximately 200 acres, with a 5-10 acre mesa feature, several springs, or other water sources, and mostly open prairie range land, could be acquired for something less than $500,000. A definitive field survey and view of specific properties of this kind in that area will need to be done before making a final decision.

As to the “what”, we believe it is necessary to have a working center facility to provide both a physical and spiritual focus for the MIA community across the country, where a complete data bank and library can be maintained, along with a companion DNA/Forensic laboratory, plus, reception, conference, and administrative facilities. And as the primary feature of that center, a permanent monument set high above these surroundings, secluded on its mesa, as the site for annual pilgrimages, gatherings, and ceremonials, providing a powerful emotional and spiritual means to help maintain both individual and collective memory of all these missing men.

The design concept, revised from a previous model, aims to show the manner by which a feature of this kind can maintain those memories forever. It derives from several pre-historic monuments, such as the Ring Forts and Stonehenge in England, and the Menhir alignments in Brittany, France, with their stark and silent forms providing a very strong evocative impact on all who might come there to see them.

IN SUMMARY:

Establishing such an entity, and creating such a Center and Monument facility will provide a permanent reminder for the entire nation of the sacrifice these fellow Americans, and their families, have given it over many decades and several generations past. It will once and for all fill a long ignored void, and do so in a manner that will last for generations to come.

OUTLINE OF DESIRED FUNDING MECHANISM:

1. Obtain commitment from any source with sufficient credit power to underwrite a project Line of Credit capped at $30 million with either our bank or theirs. The underwriting provided subject to the following terms:

   a). Underwriter(s) places a qualified Controller/Financial Director of its choice, to sit on the Board. This person will have full oversight authority to regulate all financial transactions under the aegis of the underwriting until it is fully retired.

   b) All acquired property, and facilities assets constructed on it, are held as collateral for the underwriting.

   1. A compensating balance reserve will be established. As that reserve accrues, it will progressively replace the underwriter(s)’ obligation. That adjustment to be made each quarter.
      1. Underwriter(s) will be paid an annual fee, based on the value outstanding.
      2. When the compensating balance reserve equals the value of the underwriting, that obligation will be retired, and all collateral assets released back to the MIA MONUMENT CENTER, with free and clear title to these.
2. Meanwhile, the organization’s 50 State Chapters will each be given a fund raising requirement of $600,000.

• They will have up to 36 months to meet their individual state fund raising targets.
• This coincides with the projected completion time frame for the construction phase of the project. –
• All funds over and above the $30 million target will be applied to general operating funds, until actual revenue streams from operations begin.
• A preliminary 24 months operating budget will engage at this point, and all funds in excess of those needs will be added to the capital reserve for future needs.
• Quarterly financial reports and annual summaries of operations will be part of the financial records of the organization.

NOTES: 1) This funding concept allows for a rapid and full organization of the NFP entity, acquisition of the desired site/property, and immediate start of construction. 2) Provides an effective and strong basis to support State Chapters’ concurrent fund raising efforts because donors can see it is a real place, with actual construction in progress, rather than some “future” result. Thus, our ability to accrue the required compensating reserve is more assured. 3) Accelerates the time frame for having the Center fully operational, and beginning to produce revenues within 36 months from launch. 4) Establishes a solid financial foundation for the Center’s ongoing operations after being opened to the public. 5) The interests earned from the compensating reserves offset the underwriting fees and operating LOC interests. The net difference between these being the cost of capital to create the Center 6) Provides for clear progress milestones for both financial targets and construction progress-to completion objectives.

OUTLINE FOR AN ANNUAL CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE

(at dawn of the Summer Solstice of each year)

In the still pre-dawn darkness, high above the surrounding countryside, a silent crowd gathers within the meadow parkland between the outer ring wall and the vague shadowy forms of the monument in the center of it, whose only distinct feature is the tall illuminated bare flagpole.

A guest cleric intones a brief invocation, followed by the reading out of names of any MIAs found or discovered during the past year. Meanwhile, thousands of small votive candle lights in the crowd’s hands come alight, to sparkle like so many fireflies. A short hymn follows. Then the crowd stirs in anticipation as a dozen or more kilted pipers in full regalia take position by the entrance to the monument, ready to lead them all into it.

As the dawn’s warm glow begins to rise along the eastern horizon, and the sun’s first rays reach over it, cannons at the four corners of the ring wall, manned by Army gun crews, boom in sequence, sending their thunderous sounds to the four corners of the world. In the immediate silence that follows, the clarion sound of a bugle calls out – ASSEMBLY -, as a squad of Marines in their dress blues, attach and slowly raise a large garrison type flag. At the same time, pairs of Air Force and Navy personnel in parade dress, slowly raise the individual Service Flags on their poles. When all the flags are in position, all details stand in place at parade rest.

Now the pipers begin skirling – WHEN THE PIPERS PLAY – as they start to march into the monument. The crowd falls into procession behind them. Slowly the pipers and the crowd wend their way along each ring of stones, and as they pass by them, people place the votive lights at their bases. When the procession ends back on the plaza the crowd gathers around the Fountain of Remembrance, while the pipers close with – AMAZING GRACE -, the crowd joining in with its voices in chorus.

By this time the sun has risen well above the horizon, a slight breeze gently stirs the flags on their poles, and the crowd of people begins to wander within the monument area, revisiting perhaps the name of a missing loved one, or a friend from long ago. Then, bit by bit, they saunter out into the surrounding open parkland where, in small groups, they begin sharing their picnic brunches, chatting with friends and others, strolling along the perimeter of the Ring Wall, taking pictures, admiring the views of the surrounding countryside, renewing their faith in their eternal vigils for the ultimate return of their loved ones, friends, and kin.

Thus ends an annual ceremony celebrating the first day of another year of remembrance for all those heroic missing ones who, by this simple act, will never be forgotten.

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