News Release

Special Performance of Taps to Be Played at National POW Museum in Honor of John McCain

Date: August 31, 2018
Contact: Jody Mays, 229-924-0343 ext. 115

Special Performance of Taps to Be Played at National POW Museum in Honor of John McCain
Part of Taps Across America effort to play taps across the nation at the beginning of funeral on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – The National Prisoner of War Museum, located at Andersonville National Historic Site, will participate in a coordinated, nationwide playing of Taps to honor the memory and service of former prisoner of war and U.S. Senator John McCain.

At 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, September 2^nd, when the funeral for McCain begins, buglers across the nation will simultaneously play Taps at various locations. Mike Saliba, a local Navy veteran and bugler, will play Taps in front of the National Prisoner of War Museum as part of this coordinated effort. Senator McCain spoke at the grand opening of the museum in 1998.

While serving as a Naval aviator, John McCain was shot down over Vietnam on October 6, 1967. Both of his arms and one of his legs were broken when he was shot down. He was captured and taken to the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison, where he endured five and a half years of imprisonment, beatings, and torture as a prisoner of war. His treatment at the hands of the enemy caused permanent damage, and he would never again be able to lift his arms above his shoulders. McCain was finally released in March 1973.

We invite you to join us at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in front of the National Prisoner of War Museum to honor the passing of former prisoner of war and U.S. Senator John McCain. Entry into the park and all activities are free.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the site of the historic Civil War prison, Camp Sumter. ­Andersonville National Historic Site is the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Park grounds are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The National Prisoner of War Museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, or visit at www.nps.gov/ande/ Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/andeNHS

NPS

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