Rutherford, Lawson Introduce Bill to Establish a National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum in Jacksonville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) and Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05) introduced the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum Act of 2019. This legislation would designate the POW/MIA Memorial and Museum at Cecil Field as the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum to honor all former prisoners of war and those still missing in action.

"More than 82,000 Americans currently remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts," said Rutherford. "Sadly, the loved ones of prisoners of war or those missing in action have no national memorial to visit in remembrance of the immense sacrifice of these men and women. I am proud to introduce this bill with my friend Rep. Lawson to designate the POW/MIA Memorial and Museum at Cecil Field as the national memorial. Having a location such as this is incredibly important to our POW/MIA families and a measure of thankfulness from a grateful nation."

"While there are museums to honor veterans across the country, there is no national POW/MIA memorial or museum to specifically honor all former prisoners of war," said Lawson. "We must acknowledge and remember our nation's missing heroes alongside the families who seek their return."

According to the Department of Defense, there are approximately 82,000 former prisoners of war and unaccounted for U.S. servicemembers. This bill would designate the existing POW/MIA Memorial and Museum at Cecil Field as the national memorial and museum. It is located on 26 acres at the former NAS Cecil Field Master Jet Base – now known as Cecil Commerce Center. Jacksonville's Mary Hoff, wife of MIA pilot LCDR Michael G. Hoff and an Orange Park native, was a major driving force behind establishing the memorial. She was also instrumental in developing the POW/MIA flag, the only other flag authorized to fly over the White House and on the same pole as the American flag.