2018 POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony

Last updated on September 13, 2018

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Veterans Advisory Council Honor United States Military Prisoners of War and those Missing In Action at 2018 POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony

WHAT:

Edward Izbicky spent 118 days in interrogation as a POW in North Korea, and received a 100-year sentence as a war criminal. During the time in his cell, Izbicky missed the stars and stripes of the U.S. so much, he borrowed a needle from a guard and sewed a flag, made from his white bed sheets, blue prisoner uniform and red shorts. Throughout his imprisonment, the flag served as a symbol of strength to him and a constant reminder of his love for the country he swore to protect. Following his eventual return to the U.S., he spent four years with the Air Defense Command out of Wisconsin and is now retired and leads a local group of former POWs.

On September 14, 2018, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his City of Orlando Veterans Advisory Council will host an official POW-MIA ceremony to honor United States military prisoners of war, including Edward Izbicky and Col. Joe Kittinger, as well as those still missing in action, as part of national POW-MIA Day on September 21. Brigadier General Michael E. Sloane, Program Executive Officer for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (STRI), will serve as the featured guest speaker during the event.

Cadets from the Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 at the University of Central Florida will also attend to the event to lead a symbolic “setting of the table,” where each item on the table will represent the commitment to remember and honor POW-MIAs from the five military branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

WHO:

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council Members

Orlando City Commissioners

Brigadier General Michael E. Slone, Program Executive Officer for STRI

Ex-POWs, Edward Izbicky and Col. Joe Kittinger

UCF AFROTC Detachment 159 Arnold Air Society

WHEN:

Friday, September 14, 2018

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE:

Beardall Senior Center Ballroom

800 South Delaney Avenue

PARKING:

Parking will be available in the Beardall Senior Center front and back parking lots.

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