Wayne Community College is the new home to a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Chair of Honor.
The college was given the chair by Chapter 371 of the Air Force Sergeants Association.
The chair is a physical reminder of the American soldiers, classified as Prisoners of War/Missing in Action, who have not come home from wars and conflicts involving the United States of America. The seat is to remain unfilled, reserved for those service members upon their return.
The association had the chair upholstered in black and embroidered with the POW/MIA logo on the back and “You are not forgotten” and an explanation of the chair on the seat.
It reads: “Since World War I, more than 91,000 American soldier are unaccounted for. This unoccupied seat is dedicated to the memory of those brave men and women and to the sacrifices each made in serving our country.”
In presenting the chair, Brandin Wendt, president-elect of the Air Force Sergeants Association, said, “We hope that this chair serves as a symbol for those who have been captured or are missing in action; they have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
“We know that Goldsboro is rich with veteran history,” Wendt said. “Hopefully it [the chair] will remain here for a while.”
“Wayne Community College is honored to be a recipient of this symbol, remembering and dedicated to those who served and sacrificed for our country. It will always hold a place of honor on our campus, forever in our Military Resource Center.” said Dr. Patty Pfeiffer, WCC vice president for academic and student services, who is herself a veteran.
“Our appreciation goes to your chapter, the 371st, of the Air Force Sergeants Association, for allowing Wayne Community College to receive this chair and have it for a symbol for those soldiers as we wait for their return,” she said.
The chair will reside in the college’s Military Resource Center, which is located on the second floor of the Wayne Learning Center. It is on display in a roped off area and is flanked by an American and a POW/MIA flag.
Founded in 1961, the Air Force Sergeants Association legislates, advocates, and educates America’s elected, military and community leaders in support of the quality of life for 100,000 military members and their families.
