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Wilson Honors National POW-MIA Recognition Day

September 5, 2003

List of POW-MIAs includes Air Force Pilot from Lexington missing since 1967

Today, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) made the following remarks from the House Floor:"Mr. Speaker, September 19, 2003, is National POW-MIA Recognition Day and I urge my colleagues on that day to take a moment and reflect on the families whose loved one has never returned home," said Rep. Wilson."Our resolve to find our 88,000 MIA's should assure our fighting forces today that our support for them does not end after the victory parades. Let us also remember the more than 140,000 Americans since World War I who endured the hardships of captivity and have made it back home."Among the missing in action from Vietnam is Air Force Major Harold R. Sale of Lexington, South Carolina, shot down over Laos June 7, 1967. I wore a POW bracelet in his honor for years. I implore the governments of Laos, Vietnam and North Korea to open their records and fully support our country's recovery efforts. "We continue to need people of character like Hal Sale to serve in our Armed Forces to protect our liberties. Indeed, his nephew, Lt. Col. Scott Cromer, continues the family tradition today as an Air Force pilot, displaying the courage of the American military personnel."In conclusion, God bless our troops," said Rep. Wilson.###