The mood was solemn at the Tribute to Veterans Memorial on the evening of Friday, Sept. 20 and people gathered to remember and recognize those captured as prisoners of war and who are missing in action. 

The U.S. Department of Defense states that over 80,000 American service personnel are still considered missing in action. 

The candlelight vigil started with the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer from Pastor Don Deeker before wreaths representing each of the branches of service were laid at the memorial by members of the VFW Post 2180 in Warrenton. 

Keynote speaker and member of the Tribute to Veterans Board, Gary Ruebling, then delivered his remarks, telling the story of Vietnam War veteran and prisoner of war, Lt. Mike Christian. 

Christian was a U.S. Navy pilot who was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 and held at Hoa Lo Prison, known to U.S. service members as the “Hanoi Hilton.”

According to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, conditions in North Vietnamese prisons were “exceptionally cruel,” and American prisoners were “brutally and systematically tortured.” 

The story of Lt. Mike Christian is well known, as is the cruelty he endured from his captors, and one well worth telling on a day of remembrance. 

“I’m a storyteller, and I have a story to tell tonight. I’ve told it before, and if you’ve heard it, I think you know that it bears repeating, especially today,” said Ruebling. 

As Ruebling stated, while Christian was imprisoned, he began gathering materials from around the camp, including a sewing needle fashioned from bamboo, to sew an American flag on the inside of his shirt. 

Once completed, he and the other prisoners would hang the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance under the cover of night, as one of the few comforts of home they were able to enjoy under their captivity. 

Acts like these were expressly forbidden by their captors. 

One day, their captors caught Christian with the flag, and he was tortured and beaten for his work, said Ruebling. 

He felt it was important to continue to tell stories like Christian’s, so it is understood how much sacrifice had been made to protect the nation we live in today. 

“Lt. Mike Christian is a part of these beautiful colors, a part of American history. Lt. Christian, we salute you, and all the others who sacrificed so much,” said Ruebling. 

Later in the ceremony, June Patti took to the podium to explain the display in front of her, the POW-MIA table. The table is commonly set at events for POWs and MIA in honor of those who are still missing, and who never made it home. 

The ceremony was closed out as local scouts distributed candles to attendees who, following a moment of silence, proceeded to the memorial and placed them around the statue of the family at the memorial. 

Before the attendees left, a 21-gun salute was fired in remembrance of those who are still missing today.