Shaffer
09-16-02, 02:10 PM
Albany- Many military veterans at the Prisoner of War Breakfast at the
Marine Corps Logistics Base say they will never forget being captured in
battle.
Lee James served in the United States military for two years. He was
captured on September 11, 1944 in Germany, and he says after the one year
anniversary of September eleventh, the eleventh is a day that will always be
dear to him.
James says, "September eleventh has always been a special day for me, and
it's even more special now."
He says he is humbled by the awards and recognition he has received as a
former prisoner of war, but he says many of his friends received much
harsher treatment.
James adds, "In Germany, we were treated very humanely because there were a
number that were treated real bad."
The guest of honor, Lt. Colonel Orson Swindle III, agrees with James. He
says he wouldn't trade anything for his military experience, especially
after the attacks on September 11. Swindle says, "We have a real enemy out
there that is capable of doing harm to a free society."
He also says the only way the United States will win the war on terrorism is
if the younger generation is willing to step up and lead America in the
fight.
Swindle says,"The world is still a dangerous place, and somebody has got to
go up against those people."
All of the honorees say being prisoners of war and surviving to tell their
story is a life-changing experience that makes them proud to be Americans.
Lt. Colonel Orson Swindle III retired from the United States Marine Corps in
1979. He received twenty military decorations in combat including two Purple
Hearts.
Marine Corps Logistics Base say they will never forget being captured in
battle.
Lee James served in the United States military for two years. He was
captured on September 11, 1944 in Germany, and he says after the one year
anniversary of September eleventh, the eleventh is a day that will always be
dear to him.
James says, "September eleventh has always been a special day for me, and
it's even more special now."
He says he is humbled by the awards and recognition he has received as a
former prisoner of war, but he says many of his friends received much
harsher treatment.
James adds, "In Germany, we were treated very humanely because there were a
number that were treated real bad."
The guest of honor, Lt. Colonel Orson Swindle III, agrees with James. He
says he wouldn't trade anything for his military experience, especially
after the attacks on September 11. Swindle says, "We have a real enemy out
there that is capable of doing harm to a free society."
He also says the only way the United States will win the war on terrorism is
if the younger generation is willing to step up and lead America in the
fight.
Swindle says,"The world is still a dangerous place, and somebody has got to
go up against those people."
All of the honorees say being prisoners of war and surviving to tell their
story is a life-changing experience that makes them proud to be Americans.
Lt. Colonel Orson Swindle III retired from the United States Marine Corps in
1979. He received twenty military decorations in combat including two Purple
Hearts.