POW/MIA: Chair

From the Chair

Good day,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Denton “Denny” Luke from Dewitt B. Tilden Post 316 in Atlantic Beach, Florida. First and foremost, I would like to thank Department Commander Bob Matheson for the honor and privilege of serving as your 2026-2027 Department of Florida POW/MIA Chairman.

As Chairman, I will strive to keep you informed on developments concerning America’s Prisoners of War and Missing in Action, provide updates on the progress of the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum being constructed in Jacksonville, Florida, and share information on POW/MIA-related events throughout our Department and nation.

I would also like to introduce the other members of our Department POW/MIA Committee: Lance Maiden from the Central Area and Mike Lowell from the Southwest Area. Together, we form a dedicated team committed to advancing awareness of the POW/MIA mission throughout Florida.

I encourage every member to visit the American Legion Department of Florida POW/MIA Remembrance webpage https://www.floridalegion.org/programs-services/powmia-remembrance/about/ to learn more about our program and available resources. There you will find links to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the Library of Congress Vietnam Era POW/MIA Database, the National League of POW/MIA Families, the National Alliance of Families for the Return of America’s Missing Servicemen, and the POW/MIA Chairman’s Manual. Additional information is available through The American Legion National Headquarters POW/MIA webpage https://www.legion.org/honor/powmia .

I also encourage you to visit the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum website,  https://powmiamemorial.org/ to follow the progress being made on this remarkable project—the only National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum in the United States, proudly being built here in Florida. I invite each of you to visit the site and witness its growth firsthand. While there, please take a moment to sign the petition urging Congress to pass H.R. 3057, legislation that would officially designate the site as our nation’s National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum.

At our meetings, we honor the sacrifices and plight of America’s POWs and MIAs in accordance with Resolution 288, adopted by the 67th American Legion National Convention. However, our responsibility extends beyond reciting words. I challenge every Post and District to actively support the POW/MIA mission. If your Post is planning a POW/MIA-related event, please share the information with us. We would be honored to help promote your event through the Legion Link, Department social media platforms, and other communication channels. Whenever possible, we will also strive to attend and support your efforts.

The Department of Florida American Legion Riders have demonstrated what meaningful action looks like. Their commitment has helped establish what is becoming one of the premier POW/MIA Recognition Day events in the Southeast. While National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday of September, we partner with the National POW/MIA Memorial Committee to hold our event on the third Saturday, allowing greater participation from working families and community members.

This year marks the 6th Annual Seven Bridges POW/MIA Remembrance Ride. This police-escorted ride crosses the seven bridges spanning the St. Johns River and concludes at the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum, where participants attend the annual POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony. This is a Department event, and I encourage every Legion Family member to participate.

Florida made history during the 2023 Ceremony. We were, and remain, the only American Legion Department to have our Department Commander, Area Vice Commanders, Department Auxiliary President, Squadron Commander, numerous Department Officers, and Chairmen all attend the Ceremony together at the National POW/MIA Memorial. That level of commitment demonstrates Florida’s dedication to remembering and honoring those who have not yet returned home.

I sincerely hope to see you at this year’s Ceremony. If you ride, I encourage you to join us on the Seven Bridges POW/MIA Remembrance Ride before attending the Ceremony. More information will be available on the Department website as the event approaches.

The annual DPAA POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster is available free of charge. Quantities are limited, so I encourage you to order yours as soon as possible and proudly display it at your Post, workplace, school, or community venue to help raise awareness of the POW/MIA mission. You can order it here. https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamWebPosters

Thank you for your continued dedication to America’s veterans, service members, and their families. Together, we will ensure that the promise remains strong:

You Are Not Forgotten.

For God and Country,

Denny Luke
POW/MIA Chair
powmia@legionmail.org