S-3 Viking Update
We are excited to have received the final delivery of the S-3 Viking sections from Cleveland. The fuselage was all that remained, and we received that courtesy of Landstar trucking delivering it to Cecil Airport. After dropping the landing gear as the fuselage was craned from the flatbed and roughly placing the center wing section on the aircraft, we had it all towed to our final “rebuild” hangar.
The hangar where we will do most of the work is Hangar 1820, which USCG Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) has graciously let us use for the project. These past weeks, CWO (Ret) Grant Little, and a team of about a dozen S-3 veterans were able to put in the horizontal stab and, with a great deal of “persuasion,” properly seat the two-and-a-half ton center-wing section.
NAS Cecil Field History and Heritage Room
On 12 July 2025, the National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum had the pleasure of hosting the International Plastic Model Society (IPMS) of Jacksonville and Model Creations Unlimited clubs in a joint meeting and presentation. The event was highlighted by members of both clubs adding over two dozen high quality crafted models to the NAS Cecil Field History and Heritage Room of the museum. This inspired work by the IPMS and MCU clubs has significantly enhanced the museum and the displays will certainly be enjoyed by many.
DPAA’s Annual Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing
Pam Cain had the opportunity to attend the DPAA’s annual Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing in Omaha, Nebraska held June 26-27. Families of unaccounted for American service members from the Vietnam War received status updates of the U.S Government’s efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting of missing Americans from the Vietnam War and heard from panels of families, researchers, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs). Each family was given the opportunity to meet with officials one on one to review what is happening with regard to their case. Pam presented an overview of the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum, progress being made, H.R.3057 actions needed, and informed families about opportunities for honoring their loved ones and telling their stories at the site in Jacksonville.
The National POW-MIA Memorial and Museum recognizes the efforts of DPAA, whose mission it is, as the Department of Defense agency responsible for accounting, to fulfill the United States’ sacred obligation to bring home as many of our nation’s missing as possible.
MUSEUM UPDATES AND OUTREACH
Flag Raising Ceremony
On 3 July, Sam Houston, Pam Cain and myself attended the POW-MIA flag raising presentation at the new Boeing facility at Cecil Airport. Rolling Thunder provided a ceremony to honorably raise the new POW-MIA flag at the facility. This type of event is great to continue building awareness and tribute for our POW and MIAs in the Jacksonville area.
Phase 1 Irrigation
We recently had a very productive meetings involving the irrigation and landscaping representatives to map out the way forward to complete Phase 1. The plan is to construct the irrigation system then landscape early this fall. BTW, the irrigation has been finally repaired on the Gold Star Memorial Garden.
Website Update
Thank you to Richard and Pat Geer from Geer Services, Inc in their continuous work to make our website better and better. One of the latest efforts involving Richard Geer, Kathy Cayton and Pam Cain was to update inventory and make the payment process in the on-line Store section more efficient and safe. The Geers are really doing some great work with the site.
Volunteer Highlight
We would like to thank Barbara Kaufmann for taking great care of the abundance of Amaryllis plants she has donated. Next step will be to till the ground and plant the buds there to create the new Honor Garden on Hero’s Walk. Will be asking for volunteers soon.
Memorial Bricks
The latest Memorial Brick order has been submitted by Pam Cain and we will look at install that latest lot in early Fall. The deadline for ordering to be included in the next group is by January 5, 2026, so that those bricks can be installed during Spring 2026.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 20-21, 2025
The last leg of the 19th annual American Legion Legacy Motorcycle Run will be through the Memorial site. A Wreath laying ceremony on Hero’s Walk will be done the afternoon of 20 August and then the riders will be kick-stands up to then head to Tampa at 0800 on 21 August. Learn more about the event.
September 20, 2025
The POW-MIA Recognition day event, to include the Recognition Ceremony, the American Legion 7 Bridges Ride Honor Ride, which has been a significant aspect of the Recognition Day event each year, and BBQ done by North Jax Rotary. Planning is ongoing.
November 17, 2025
The 7th Annual POW-MIA Memorial Annual Golf Tournament date is set, once again at the Eagle Harbor Golf Club. Maryanne Kolisnyk, Event Committee Chairman, is leading the charge on planning.
Thank you all for the continued interest and work. A lot going on and more behind the scenes efforts not yet mentioned, but certainly some very positive movement for 2025!
National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum
6112 POW-MIA MEMORIAL PKWY
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32221
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