News Release

Online Program on World War II POWs/MIAs and the National Prisoner of War Museum

NPS

News Release Date: September 11, 2020

Contact: Jody Mays, 229-924-0343 ext. 115

Andersonville National Historic Site News Release
Release Date: September 10, 2020
Contact: Jody Mays, [e-mail]

NR20-08                    

Online Program on World War II POWs/MIAs and the National Prisoner of War Museum
Virtual Event in recognition of National POW/MIA Recognition Day

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – How do you honor a fallen brother in arms? For a few American soldiers who survived the infamous Bataan Death March, the answer came through the cruel gesture of the Japanese guard who was holding them prisoner.

In honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site will host “The Sack of Cement Cross: John Olson’s Last Military Campaign”. This virtual event will bring historians, filmmakers, National Park Service staff, a Missing/Killed in Action specialist, and a 98-year-old former World War II prisoner of war (POW) together to talk about the Bataan Death March, American POWs, and MIA topics. The program will also feature a short film about the Sack of Cement Cross, which is on display at the National Prisoner of War Museum.  

“Despite the impacts of the global pandemic, we continue our mission to honor and remember American POWs and the sacrifices they made for our nation,” said Superintendent Gia Wagner. “Andersonville National Historic Site was designated by Congress to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war, from the Revolutionary War to today. We are honored to host this special online event and pay tribute to POWs and MIA families.”

Randy Olson and Chris Schaefer will present a short film about the Sack of Cement Cross. Program guests will also include historian Fred Baldassarre, Missing/Killed in Action (MIA/KIA) specialist John Eakin, and World War II veteran and former POW Dan Crowley.

This free online program will be held at 7:00 p.m. eastern standard time on Thursday, September 17^th. To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/E/118216967131.

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