Vawnyhs honors service members on national pow/mia recognition day | va western new york health care | veterans affairs

VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) hosted a POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony Friday, September 20, to honor the service and sacrifice of Prisoner of War (POW), Former Prisoner

of War (FPOW) and the more than 80,000 service members that remain unaccounted for. During the ceremony, local POW and FPOW service members were honored. World War II POW Army 2nd Lieutenant

George "Shorty" Lausted, who was held at Stalag Luft III in Germany and Vietnam War POW Army Private First Class (PFC) Thomas Delmonte were both remembered for their service. 

Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) Vietnam Veteran Marine Staff Sergeant Frank Cius shared his experience as a POW in Southeast Asia after he was captured in Laos on June 3, 1967, and was held

until his release on March 5, 1973. Two centurion FPOW’s were honored at the ceremony.   Army Staff Sergeant Casimer “Casey” Bukowski, age 100, was captured by German forces after his plane

was shot down on February 22, 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in May 1945.  Army Infantryman William Dibble, age 103, who served in an infantry unit

during World War II and was held as a POW for 21 months Germany. The family of Army Private First Class (PFC) Bart Loschiavo attended the ceremony to honor him. Loschiavo was killed in

action Oct. 1, 1944, in Luxembourg during World War II and buried by local residents. A year later his remains were found by the American Graves Registration Command who transferred them to

the Luxembourg American Cemetery in an unmarked grave where they remained for decades.  In May of this year the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) confirmed the remains were Loschiavo

and he was returned to Buffalo and laid to rest in his hometown. The American Legion, Brounshidle Post provided the honor guard for the ceremony, George Miller sang the National Anthem,

VAWNYHS Chaplain Sergio Daza provided the invocation and benediction, and Northrup Grumman Amherst provided cake and refreshments. Today, more than 80,000 Americans remain unaccounted for —

a reminder of the sacrifices made, and the uncertainty endured by so many. On this solemn National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of those who have yet to return

and hold their families in our hearts. We also renew our commitment to the promise that every hero will be brought home.