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thedrifter
09-27-04, 09:43 AM
N.Y. Mets Honor POW/MIAs; Jennings Throws Out First Pitch
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2004 -- A huge black and white POW/MIA flag flew in center field as Jerry D. Jennings, who leads the Pentagon's worldwide mission to account for America's POWs and MIAs, threw out the first ball in Shea Stadium in New York City on Sept. 15.

Jennings, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for prisoner of war and missing personnel affairs, was invited by the Mets to throw out the first pitch as part of their recognition of POW/MIA activities.

"This is the first year that the Mets honored POWs and MIAs with this observance," said Larry Greer, a spokesman for the Defense Prisoner of War and Missing Personnel Office. "After Mr. Jennings threw out the first pitch, representatives from the four uniformed services fired in rapid succession to a total of five catchers."

The representatives from four services' casualty offices joining Jennings on the mound were, work daily with families of the nation's missing, Greer noted.

Representing the Army was Sgt. 1st Class Timothy A. Collins of the Army Casualty Office, Alexandria, Va. Also participating were Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jovan A. Pledgerjackson of the Navy Casualty Office in Millington, Tenn.; Master Sgt. Cheryl A. Wells of the Air Force Casualty Office at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; and Staff Sgt. Brian W. Dixon of the Marine Corps Casualty Office at Quantico (Va.) Marine Corps Base.

The Atlanta Braves beat the Mets 2-0.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2004/2004092408a_72.jpg

Jerry D. Jennings, deputy assistant secretary of defense for prisoner of war and missing personnel affairs, throws out the first pitch when the New York Mets met the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 15 as part of the Mets' observance of POW/MIA activities. Jennings was joined on the mound by representatives of the four military services' casualty offices, those who work daily with families of our missing. From left are ,Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jovan A. Pledgerjackson; Air Force Master Sgt. Cheryl A. Wells; and Marine Staff Sgt. Brian W. Dixon. Not shown is the Army's representative, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy A. Collins. Mets photo by J. P. Verni

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2004/n09242004_2004092408.html


Ellie