Veterans, gold star families, former Governor Mike Parson, several Missouri representatives, College of the Ozarks students, faculty, staff, and School of the Ozarks students and faculty were in attendance.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks dedicated its new POW/MIA Memorial at Patriots Park on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m., honoring American Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action.

The dedication brought together College leaders, Veterans, former Prisoners of War, students, and members of the community to remember those who endured captivity and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to those who have yet to return home.

The ceremony opened with a prelude by the College of the Ozarks Concert Band, followed by a welcome from Brigadier General James P. Schreffler, vice president of patriotic programs at College of the Ozarks.

Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Certain, U.S. Air Force (retired), who was held as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam from 1972 to 1973, gave the invocation.

: Colonel John Clark, U.S. Air Force (retired), spoke on behalf of the POW community. Clark was held as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam from 1967-1973 and later participated in the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program. Clark’s speech emphasized the importance of holding onto faith in the commitment of bringing POWs home.

A Commitment to Honor Those Who Served

College of the Ozarks President Brad Johnson gave remarks on behalf of the College, reminding students, visitors, and Veterans of the commitment made to honor those who have served our country.

“College of the Ozarks intentionally acknowledges the sacrifice of the men and women who serve our country and defended the freedoms we hold dear,” Johnson said. “Today, we are honored to dedicate this memorial and honor all those who are Prisoners of War or those Missing in Action.”

Following Johnson’s remarks, Colonel John Clark, U.S. Air Force (retired), spoke on behalf of the POW community. Clark was held as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam from 1967 to 1973 and later participated in the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program. He spoke of his friendship with his roommate while living for six years in the Hanoi Hilton.

“In our discussions of God and faith, my roommate and I decided there were five things that, for us as captive warriors, were most important in our determination to return home,” Clark said. “One, faith in God. Two, faith in America, our nation. We would never be forgotten. Three, faith in our fellow Prisoners of War, for together we stand and survive. Four, faith in family. And five, faith in ourselves, to pull these four things together and return home with honor. This is what the monument before us today symbolizes to me.”

Heather Harris, director of the European-Mediterranean Region at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), gave remarks on behalf of the MIA Accounting Mission, honoring those who are Missing in Action, and reminding them and their families that they will never be forgotten.

George and Cindy Blassie stand in front of the POW/MIA Memorial after its unveiling. The unveiling of the monument was led by George Blassie, the brother of 1st Lt. Michael Blassie, who was killed in action and laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery from 1984-1998 in the Vietnam Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, until DNA testing later revealed his identity. As the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents those who are still Missing in Action, Michael Blassie’s story is a testament of hope that they will never be forgotten.

A Promise Unveiled

The unveiling of the monument was led by George Blassie, the brother of 1^st Lt. Michael Blassie, who was killed in action and laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery from 1984 to1998 in the Vietnam War Tomb of the Unknown Soldier until DNA testing later revealed his identity.

Certain, Clark, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Tom Moe, President Johnson, and Schreffler joined Blassie in the unveiling of the memorial. Moe, a former Prisoner of War in Vietnam from 1968 to 1973, also participated in the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program.

An Eternal Flame, An Unfinished Mission

The ceremony also included the presentation of colors by College of the Ozarks Bobcat Guard Officer Leadership Development candidates, musical selections by the College Concert Band and Chapel Choir, the lighting of the memorial’s eternal flame, placement of a wreath, and the playing of “Taps” by Sgt. Maj. Bob Smither.

The eternal flame symbolizes the continuous search for all 81,000 American service members who remain missing from World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The flame will not stop burning until every Prisoner of War and service member Missing in Action is identified and brought home.

Students from the Bobcat GOLD Program presented the colors during the dedication ceremony. The Bobcat GOLD Program allows eligible students to graduate as commissioned Army officers, with follow-on service in the Missouri Army National Guard.

Schreffler shared the symbolism and deep meaning of hope represented by the eternal flame.

“The eternal flame represents the light of hope that burns in our hearts, that all those still missing will someday return home and will never be forgotten.”

This year, Harris and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency have properly identified 250 service members, providing closure for families who have been waiting to bury their loved ones for decades and even generations.

The ceremony concluded as student participants in the Patriotic Education Travel Program — Annabella Mohler, Hadlei Cates, Aubree Sullivan, and Alayna Royal — laid roses at the base of the memorial while the College of the Ozarks Chapel Choir, Chorale, and Concert Band performed special music honoring the sacrifices of those who served.

The ceremony was followed by a jet flyover in which four jets flew over Patriots Park in a missing man formation.

Student Reflections

Each student left the POW/MIA memorial dedication with a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made for their freedom.

Anna Berger, a freshman studying nutrition at College of the Ozarks, participated in the Concert Band during the POW/MIA ceremony. She shared how participating in this ceremony impacted her.

“It felt wonderful to experience a ceremony memorializing the hidden pain that many Veterans and their families suffer,” Berger said. “This memorial dedication service, as well as C of O’s Patriotic Pillar, helped me and hundreds of visitors open our hearts and tap into that perspective. Growing up as a military kid, it is easy to feel alone in the civilian world. However, this ceremony was extremely encouraging. This monument will forever hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to visiting it when I need to tap back into that perspective.”

College of the Ozarks dedicated its new POW/MIA Memorial at Patriots Park on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m., honoring American Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action. The dedication brought together College leaders, Veterans, former Prisoners of War, students, and members of the community to remember those who endured captivity and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to those who have yet to return home.

Junior engineering major Matthew Smith was especially inspired by the fighter jet flyover.

“It was special seeing the missing man formation flyover. Watching it, I realized that it symbolized that one of the jets did not make it home. Seeing this in the formation really hit me. Someone was out in enemy territory, still fighting.”

The Patriotic Pillar in Action

The new memorial further strengthens the College’s commitment to honoring American service members and educating future generations about the sacrifices made in defense of the nation’s freedoms.

“During the last 53 years, the College has continued to emphasize the Patriotic Pillar by encouraging an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibility, love of country, and the willingness to defend it,” Johnson said. “The Patriotic Education Program includes distinct elements, like the Patriotic Education Travel Program, required citizenship classes, and numerous events, like the one we are enjoying today.”

In 2023, College of the Ozarks became the first college to receive the designation of POW/MIA campus. The designation was bestowed by the board of directors of the Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum. The College also flies the POW/MIA flag as a daily reminder of those who endured captivity and those who remain Missing in Action.

“Being designated a POW/MIA campus is a powerful commitment, and this new memorial makes that commitment visible and permanent, not just a title,” said Chassidy Brittain, director of patriotic activities. “It brings the mission of remembrance onto our own campus grounds, giving students and visitors a daily place to reflect, learn, and honor those who endured captivity and those still unaccounted for.”

The memorial serves as a permanent place within Patriots Park where students, visitors, Veterans, and members of the community can remember the sacrifices of America’s Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action while reflecting on the enduring message: You Are Not Forgotten.

A reception at The Keeter Center immediately followed the ceremony, providing a place for all Veterans and guests to fellowship and reflect together, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America.