Led by VFW Post 8164 Commander Vinnie Oliva, members of Tewksbury's veteran community gathered in the hall near the POW/MIA Missing Man Table. CMDR Oliva recognized the family of MIA service member Joseph Heider. Heider's brother Paul, Paul's wife Norma and their daughter Kathy were present for the recognition of Joseph, still missing from the Korean War.
CMDR Oliva spoke of the men and women who have served and sacrificed to keep America and their families free dating back to Word War II. Oliva listed a staggering number of Americans from foreign wards that are still listed as Missing in Action, including 72,000 from WWII, 7,500 from Korea and 1,500 from Vietnam.
"The cost of war extends far beyond the last shots fired. We must remember the sacrifice the families of the missing continue to give day in and day out." stated CMDR Oliva
