POW - MIA

POW/MIA SURVIVORS SCHOLARSHIP

I would like to take this opportunity to give a brief description of the POW/MIA program of La Societe and how it differs from the program of the American Legion. There seems to be a lot of misconception that it is a parallel program working toward the same objectives. The two programs are not in conflict with each other. I believe they co-exist quite well and in fact enhance each other. The program of the 40 & 8 is a "POW/MIA Survivors Scholarship Fund". This Scholarship is named in memory of Lance Corporal John Dewey Killen III USMC. Lance Corporal Killen was declared Missing In Action while serving with The Third Reconnaissance Battalion in South Vietnam . The Scholarship is available to the Spouse, Children, Grand Children, Widow or Widower of known and verified POW's or MIA's who served in the U. S. Military after December 7, 1941. The purpose of The American Legion POW/MIA Committee is "... to assist former POW's and the families of MIA's and to formulate some ideas relative to their benefits...". What better way to provide benefits than assisting with a scholarship? Please do not think of this as only a program for the 40 & 8. Remember our MIA's have not had the opportunity to decide which Veterans Organization they might want to join. This scholarship is available to all of their survivors and is worthy of the support of all us who nave not forgotten them. Awareness is the key to all programs so let’s get the word out. Anyone wanting additional information on this program please contact any member of the POW/MIA Committee and we will respond.

BACKGROUND
In 1995 at the 76th Promenade Nationale of La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, held in Niagara Falls New York , the delegates voted to establish a POW/MIA Committee.
At the 77th Promenade Nationale in Omaha , Nebraska the POW/MIA Committee was taken out from under the umbrella of Americanism. It became a free standing program with a Directeur, Secretarie/Treasureur, Two Sous Directeurs and Four Committeemen. The POW/MIA Program of La Societe is a Survivors Scholarship Program and should not be confused with the POW/MIA programs of other veteran’s organizations.
At the 78th Promenade in Rochester , Minnesota our Scholarship was named in honor of Lance Corporal John Dewey Killen III USMC. He was reported MIA June 30, 1967 while serving with the Third Reconnaissance Battalion in South Vietnam .
In Louisville the Committee wrapped up the last few details of our program with the naming of our annual awards. Based upon contributions to the Scholarship Fund the privilege of naming the awards was earned by the Grande du California and the Grande du Georgia, and Voiture #365 of California and Voiture #280 of Georgia .
The official names are as follows: -Large Grand; Adm. James B. Stockdale Award, -Small Grand; H. Okay Parker Award, -Large Locale; Michael J Salome Award, -Small Locale; Richard "Rick" Brewer Award. The Voyageur Militaire of the year is awarded for outstanding contributions by an individual.

ELIGIBILITY
Those eligible to apply for scholarship funds shall be limited to the Veteran, Spouse, Sons, Daughters, Grand Sons and Grand Daughters. Further consideration for scholarship funding by the Committee will be based upon, but not limited to, the following eligibility requirements:
*Verifiable documentation of relationship to the veteran through which the application is being made
*Certified transcripts of the previous academic achievements
*Financial need
*Written acceptance of enrollment by an accredited college or university.
*The continuance of scholarship funding shall be determined by a Committee review of the recipient’s semester grades which under no condition can be less than a "C" average.
*All scholarship funds will be paid directly to the college or university
A perpetual trust has been established to fund said scholarships, utilizing only the interest earned from the trust and any cash reserves not required for operational expenses and/or the reimbursement of National General Funds.

FUNDRAISING
Our primary source of fundraising has been thru the sale of Pins and Decals each year. POW/MIA has also generated additional income from Ball Caps which proved to be very popular. The Committee is very pleased with the support we have received from the Dames of various American Legion Posts and the V.F.W.

THE FUTURE
This is where all voyageurs can help with the program. This is a Survivors Scholarship; it is not just for members of La Societe. Remember our MIAs have not had the opportunity to decide which Veterans organization they might want to join. Many Ex-POWs have joined other groups or not joined any organization. If we make individuals, the Legion, VFW, Churches and Fraternal Organizations aware of the POW/MIA Scholarship that is available; those who believe in the program will help it prosper and grow.

For more information, contact

Howard Hoover, Grand du Florida Directeur POW/MIA

mailto:hhoover@tampabay.rr.com

Send mail to foxunlimited@bellsouth.net with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: November 25, 2007

Send mail to foxunlimited@bellsouth.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: November 25, 2007