Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Veterans Advisory to Host Annual POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony
WHAT:
Tomorrow, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council will host an official POW-MIA ceremony to honor United States military prisoners of war and those still missing in action as part of national POW-MIA Day. The event is part of the City’s continued commitment to honor and serve the needs of all our veterans and active members of the military and their families.
The ceremony will feature cadets from AFROTC Detachment 159 from the University of Central Florida who will lead a symbolic “setting of the table.” The tradition of setting the table has been in place since the end of the Vietnam War, with each symbolic item representing the commitment we have to remember and honor our POW-MIAs from our five military branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.
Captain Robert Apodaca, USAF, retired will serve as the featured guest speaker. Captain Apodaca is a senior staff systems/flight test engineer for Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control. He will share the story of his father, Major Victor Apodaca, who was listed as missing in action for nearly 35 years after his F-4C fighter jet was shot down in North Vietnam in 1967. His remains were returned home in 2001.
WHO:
Mayor Buddy Dyer
Orlando City Commissioners
Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council Members
Ex-POWs
Captain Robert Apodaca, USAF, retired
Representatives from the Armed Forces
UCF AFROTC Detachment 159
WHEN:
Friday, September 18, 2015
10 - 11 a.m.
WHERE:
City Hall Rotunda
400 South Orlando Avenue
PARKING:
Parking will be available in the City Commons parking garage on the corner of South Street and Boone Avenue behind City Hall. For more information, please call 407.246.2782 or visit cityoforlando.net/powmia.