An honor chair for prisoners of war and those missing in action was dedicated on Friday, Sept. 18, POW/MIA Recognition Day, at Nationals Park through joint effort by chapter 227 of Vietnam Veterans of America, the Washington Nationals and the Hussey Seating Company.
The chair dedication ceremony included a public announcement honoring all POW/MIA and the plaque inscription and acknowledging the chapter’s contribution. Bill Lynch, who instigated the honor chair project, then managed it from start to finish, Len Ignatowski, Charlie Klein and Melissa and Jay Kalner represented chapter 227, which is based in Arlington.
The chair and plaque are located by the American flag and prisoner of war flagpole in the center field court yard. The unoccupied black color chair has the POW/MIA logo on the backrest with a #1 silver tag that represents the park’s first seat of honor. A plaque, describing the reason for the chair, is positioned behind the chair.
At the end of the season, the memorial will be improved by raising the plaque and installing permanent posts and a chain around the seat. Chapter 227 obtained the chair and plaque and the Nationals installed the chair and plaque.
