Sioux City 'Chair of Honor' launched on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. | Monroe Life
Sioux City 'Chair of Honor' launched on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. | Monroe Life
A Bishop Heelan High School junior wanted to salute the men and women who served our nation by ensuring there is always a place at the table for them.
Jacob McGowan found a way to do that for Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA). McGowan, who was raised in a family with deep military ties, campaigned locally to bring the Chair of Honor program to the town.
On Sept. 18, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the program was introduced by McGowan and the Siouxland community in collaboration with Hussey Seating Company of North Berwick, Maine, and the Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department. It aims to recognize the nation’s military POW, MIA and their families.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Rep. Steve King, Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott and other distinguished guests were present during the ceremony at the new Siouxland Expo Center.
“Each year, on the third Friday in September, we come together as a nation to commemorate the extraordinary sacrifice of our POW/MIA service members and collectively reiterate the perpetually important words, ‘You are Not Forgotten,’” said Ernst, who led 150 troops in the Operation Iraqi Freedom and is the first female combat veteran elected in the Senate.
Mayor Scott met with McGowan on July 4 to talk about the details of introducing the program to Siouxland.
“Our community has always recognized and appreciated the commitment of the men and women who courageously serve in our Armed Forces,” Scott said in a release. “I am pleased to be associated with this cause and to have provided the initial donation which helped jump-start this program locally.”
The Hussey Seating Company donated two chairs for the program. One chair will remain permanently at the Siouxland Expo Center while the other will serve as a portable chair that can be displayed in community events in Siouxland.
The Siouxland Chamber Foundation is accepting donations at 101 Pierce St. All contributions will be used to purchase and ship additional Chairs of Honor as well as plaques, stanchions and barrier ropes.
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