OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Sept. 15 is National POW (Prisoner of War)/MIA (Missing in Action) Recognition Day, when Americans come together to honor their fellow citizens who were captured or lost in war. This morning, Ocala residents young and old came together to do just that at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park.

The POW/MIA recognition ceremony at 11 a.m. today opened with a presentation of the colors by West Port High School (WPHS) Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JRTOC) students.

After a bagpipe introduction, WPHS JROTC students posted the colors for the ceremony. Courtesy: Elora Pfriender/352today

Ocala chapter members of both Children of the American Revolution (CAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) spoke at the event, and young singers took the stage to lead the crowd in the national anthem, ‘Bring Me Home’ and ‘God Bless America.’

There were many generations present at the ceremony. Dr. Sidney Clevinger recounted his father’s experience as a prisoner of war. His father, Ben Clevinger, was a first-class Navy Seaman during World War II. He was also the first POW captured from the submarine USS Perch in March of 1942, and he lived in a Japanese POW camp until August 1945 with 58 other crew members. Out of those, only 48 survived. Many died of malnutrition.

Dr. Sidney Clevinger shows off a sword his father claimed from the POW camp where he was imprisoned for three years. Courtesy: Elora Pfriender/352today

“My dad weighed 210 pounds the day he got caught,” said Clevinger. “He weighed 75 when he got out.”

The event also served as a display of POW/MIA memorabilia, including a replica prisoner cage.

This replica prisoner “tiger cage” was just one of many POW/MIA objects on display. Courtesy: Elora Pfriender/352today

Another display was the POW/MIA place setting, rich with symbolism about missing service members and the empty seats they’ve left behind. Samuel Coventry, President of the Ocali Society of the Children of the American Revolution, recited the complementing poem about each item on the table.

“A Place Setting for One, A Table for All” is symbolic of many things: isolation, mourning, freedom and hope. Courtesy: Elora Pfriender/352today

This recognition ceremony wasn’t the only place to see these exhibitions like these, though; they can also be seen at the Marion County Veterans Exhibit & Education Center, located at 2528 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala. It is open for visitors Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Veterans Memorial Park is asking for volunteers to support the park and education center. To volunteer, call the Exhibit & Education Center at 352-671-8433 or Veteran Services at 352-671-8422.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.