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TALKING POINTS FOR NATIONAL POW/MIA MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

PROJECT MISSION:

  • To honor all former Prisoners of War (POW) held during the nation’s conflicts from World War II through the present; to remember and never forget those Missing in Action (MIA) heroes remaining unaccounted-for from all branches of the Armed Forces and the families who seek their return.
  • The establishment of a memorial and museum will give the nation a special place to honor and appreciate the legacy of POWs, MIAs and their families.

PROJECT LOCATION:

  • The Memorial is located near Jacksonville, Florida, highly accessible as a national destination via the interstate system and in proximity to other military-themed museums in the southeast.
  • The 26-acre project is located on the grounds of the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field, one of the Navy’s most historic Master Jet Bases, which had closed though the BRAC process in 1999.
  • The acreage surrounds the former Naval Station Chapel. The Chapel, now the “Chapel of the High-Speed Pass,” is now completely renovated and has been designated as an historical landmark.
  • The foundation for the memorial and museum is a small existing memorial that was dedicated in 1973 and honors Jacksonville area aviators missing and captured from the Vietnam era through the first Gulf War.
  • The concept for the POW-MIA flag was an effort by Mrs. Mary Hoff, a longtime resident of the area and the wife of an unaccounted-for Navy pilot. She was also instrumental in erecting the existing memorial. The flag, adopted in 1972 by the National League of POW/MIA Families, has become an international symbol whose visibility and importance continue to grow.
  • The Memorial’s address is: 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32221

ORGANIZATION AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT:

  • National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum is being developed by a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization and will be self-sustaining. The Board of Directors all work in a volunteer status.
  • Designed by Prosser, Inc. of Jacksonville, the symbolism within each feature of the project is relevant, very specific to other locations in the United States and can be identified by visiting the website https://www.powmiamemorial.org.

PROGRAM SUPPORT BY:

  • Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the Department of Defense agency responsible for the fullest possible accounting of America’s missing personnel, has visited and supports the project. Plans are to provide displays and info describing the DPAA and the work they do.
  • National League of POW/MIA Families, Vietnam Veterans Association, Rolling Thunder National, American Legion, National Naval Aviation Museum, Company B, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, veterans and other military service organizations as well as present and former military leaders have expressed great support, some formally, through volunteer work, and/or financially.
  • Returned POWs, their families and MIA families (those still seeking answers and those who know their loved one’s fate) attend on-site events and support plans for the project.
  • Regional/local support from VyStar Credit Union, City of Jacksonville, Jaguars Foundation, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Prosser Engineering, LSI, Landstar, Flightstar, Boeing, Rotary District 6970, Jacksonville National Cemetery, and Dobson Electric have generated significant funding and in-kind services.
  • Ongoing discussions with local, regional and national corporations will result in a much-expanded list as work continues.
  • Visitation is projected to be 200,000-300,000 people per year.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO DATE:

  • Secured 25-year lease from the City of Jacksonville for the acreage
  • City re-named the 6+ mile long city roadway leading to the site as “POW-MIA Memorial Parkway.”
  • Completed renovation and re-dedication of the former base chapel, where current offices and early museum displays are located
  • Procured three (3) of four (4) display aircraft and completed restoration of two. These acquisitions and restorations continue with nationwide organizations and businesses
  • Completed and dedicated a unique Gold Star Families Memorial near the entrance; it features a bench, flagpole, personalized pavers and plantings.
  • A temporary museum has been set up in the wing of the Chapel building and is managed by a volunteer museum curator. The future permanent museum section will be constructed within the Memorial facility.
  • 85% funded Phase 1 through regional and local resources named above. Construction is ongoing, with completion of Phase 1 and initiation of Phase 2 in the summer of 2025.
  • Over 500 memorial pavers have been installed in the Memorial Brick Plaza and at the Gold Star Families Memorial. Bricks continue to be ordered.
  • The Memorial Brick section will be formally dedicated when Phase 1 site work has been completed, and more will be added throughout the build-out of the project.
Download a PDF Version of our Talking Points

We invite you to review the vision and site plan for National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum on the website, email ([email protected]) or by contacting any Board member.

Structures and outdoor spaces will provide areas for visitors of all ages to reflect, learn, do research, hear the stories, experience interactive displays and attend ongoing events.