Public invited to attend POW/MIA program

By GINGER MIKKELSEN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

Local veterans and residents are invited to an update on the search for military service members who are missing in action.

A POW/MIA update on service members missing from the Vietnam War, the Korean War and World War II is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Alexis Park Resort, 375 E. Harmon Ave.

Lt. Col Thomas Erstfeld from the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office said there will be several government representatives on hand to present new findings and explain government efforts to find those who are missing.

Members of the public will be provided with statistics on how many cases have been solved and where the government hopes to make accomplishments in the future. Explanations of DNA evidence methods and the scientific processes used in the search will also be presented.

The following day a private program for next of kin will be held. Invited family members will have an opportunity to hear about their specific cases and see their family member's files. Erstfeld said more than 30 families have been invited to attend the Las Vegas program.

Erstfeld said the traveling update is a relatively new program. The office used to have an update program once a year in Washington D.C., but organizers realized that's an impossible trip to make for many families.

"We realized we had to make it a road show," Erstfeld said.

The traveling show was put together six years ago, but at first only a handful of cities were included. Now, the program is presented in as many as 10 cities annually, with new cities chosen each year.

Erstfeld said while the Saturday morning family event is usually packed, the Friday night briefing for members of the public has been sparsely attended in many cities. To increase interest in Las Vegas, he has sent out advance fliers to veterans organizations across the state.

Those interested can visit the organization's Web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call Erstfeld at (703) 602-2202, Ext. 239.