Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – On Sept. 19, local VFW Post 1075 again opened its doors in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day. Emcee Gabe Ambrozaitis offered opening remarks, and introduction of the special guests in attendance that day: Michelle Ambrozaitis, 55th Circuit Court Judge for Clare and Gladwin counties; Andrew Santini, Clare County prosecutor; John Wilson, Clare County sheriff; Ed Williams, Clare County undersheriff; 1st Lt. David Johnson, Michigan State Police; Lt. Alex Zamarron, Michigan State Police; and keynote speaker Scott Taylor, Sgt. 1st Class, retired, U.S. Army Michigan National Guard, VFW State Deputy Chief of Staff, and VFW Post 1075 Commander. Also recognized were Onalee Roberts, VFW Post 1075 Auxiliary president; John Griffith, VFW Past State Commander; Ray Lopez, VFW State Chief of Staff and Past State Commander; and Reinold Yahnka, VFW Current State Commander.

Ambrozaitis reminded that the gathering was to remember comrades who are being held as prisoners of war or missing in action.

"We must not forget the sacrifices these comrades are still making, and the suffering they are still enduring for us and our way of life,” he said. "They must remain alive in our minds and in our hearts until we know they have returned home to their loved ones, or have been called to our Heavenly Father. We must continue to give moral support to their families, who continue to suffer along with them.”

Those comments were followed by Posting of the Colors by the VFW Honor Guard, then a prayer by Post Chaplain Ben Faryniarz, and the recitation by all of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next came the Tribute to Comrades Ceremony, with each element – a laurel wreath, an evergreen sprig, and flowers representing the stripes/colors of the American Flag – explained as they were placed by the VFW officers. Red flowers symbolizing courage and gallantry [presented by Anthony Argenta, junior vice commander]; White flowers [presented by Ray Lopez, senior vice commander] reminding of comrades’ unselfish devotion to duty; Blue flowers [presented by Carl Lounsbury, officer of the day] symbolizing the great love military comrades have for the flag and country; and the evergreen twig  tribute [presented by Chaplain Faryniarz] was a symbol of life everlasting and the undying love for missing and imprisoned comrades. Last to be placed was a laurel wreath [presented by Scott Taylor] symbolizing victory over death for those who have made the supreme sacrifices – a last token of affection in honor of missing comrades who have gone to their final reward. Another prayer was then offered.

The introduction of the day’s keynote speaker, Scott Taylor, included noting of his ranks, to include assignments in Germany, the United States and Afghanistan; his service as a military policeman with the U.S. Army, the Michigan National Guard, and two tours in Afghanistan. Taylor retired as a senior instructor with the 177th Regimental Regional Training Institute United States Military Police Academy at Ft. Custer, Michigan. In addition to serving as a group leader training future Army officers in Afghanistan through the Non-Commissioned Officer Education System, Taylor also served as a Michigan State Police trooper, retiring as a sergeant from the Mt. Pleasant post.

Taylor began his remarks by noting that it was a special occasion because it was an opportunity to recognize not only POWs and MIAs, but also law enforcement officers who serve the community. He noted being honored to be able to share the event with attendees as they gathered to show gratitude to those who had "served and sacrificed everything they had to keep America free, and to recognized the families of our missing who continue to hope and pray their loved ones will someday come home.”

He said the event was not just to be a remembrance, but to reaffirm a promise the Veterans of Foreign Wars made to veterans decades ago.

"It is a promise in our hearts and in our minds that we will never forget the more than 142,000 service men and women who are former prisoners of war, and the less than 81,000 American service members who remain unaccounted for – from conflicts dating back to World War II,” Taylor said. "To the VFW, these are not just numbers. They’re our brothers and sisters in arms. They are the sons and daughters who never came home; the husbands and wives whose chairs at the dinner table remain empty. They are the heroes who fought for our great country and denied the honor of final homecoming.”

Taylor noted that for more than a century, the VFW has stood at the forefront of that mission of working tirelessly to support the vital work of the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency or the DPAA has done to ensure a full accounting of all the missing.

"This isn’t just about closure for the families,” Taylor said. "It’s about our national character. It’s about upholding the values we hold dear, and demonstrating to the world and our service members that America leaves no one behind.”

He further described the VFW as walking alongside the DPAA on hallowed ground in Vietnam, in Korea and across the globe; having met with their teams of historians, analysts and recovery experts who painstakingly sift through soil and analyze every scrap of available evidence in order to bring the missing home.

"The success stories are a testimonial to their unwavering commitment,” Taylor said. "In FY25 alone, they have accounted for 213 service members. These identifications from WWI, Korean War, and Vietnam War are not just press releases and headlines.

"They are moments of profound peace and a long overdue welcome home. They represent a family’s decades-long wait for answers finally ending.”

He emphasized that the mission is not complete, that the work continues, and that it’s up to the veterans, the families, and the American people to keep it a national priority.

"We must continue to support DPAA’s efforts to advocate for the resources and funding they need to keep the memory of our missing alive,” Taylor said. "Let us never forget the bitter fate of those were captured or went missing. We must honor the families who have waited with such strength and determination. We must remind Americans of the empty chair, the black and white POW/MIA flag is not just symbols – they are the nation’s constant reminder of a shared responsibility.”

He also spoke of the need to resolve that as long a single American service member remains unaccounted for, the mission will continue.

Taylor then spoke of James Warner as being the only living POW member of the post, and acknowledge his son Anthony Argenta, junior vice commander. Taylor offered some background on Warner, his1,979 days in captivity in Vietnam, and upon release and departure from the military, the remarkable legal and governmental career he realized in fulfilling his own American Dream. While in Vietnam, Warner flew more than 100 combat missions.

"He’s just a phenomenal guy,” Taylor said. "And continues to this day to still advocate for the needs of veterans – another service member who had every reason to say ‘I don’t care about anything outside of my own personal effects,now after serving 1,979 days as a POW’ – instead, he made sure he was doing something that benefits veterans and benefits us as Americans.”

Also part of the event was VFW Officer of the Year recognitions of two law enforcement officers: Clare County Deputy Joshua Riffe and Michigan State Police Trooper Andrew Woodard. Taylor did the presentation honors, taking each officer in turn.

Taylor noted having worked with a lot of Clare County deputies and described Deputy Riffe as being highly dedicated to his profession and as having done a great job.

It was noted that Taylor had worked with Trooper Woodard at the Mt. Pleasant post, and that he is a very respectful individual. Taylor also noted he and Woodard’s father had worked together in Bridgeport.

Additionally, each of the honored officers were awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman John Moolenaar, congratulating them for their accomplishments, professionalism and service to their communities.

"These two young men have chosen a profession that not many people like to choose anymore – for the obvious reasons,” Taylor said. "But at the same point, it takes the right person to do it.”

After a closing prayer, attendees were invited to enjoy a luncheon provided by the post.

© Clare County Cleaver