Mount Vernon Optic-Herald

The 31st  POW/MIA and Purple Heart Luncheon was recently conducted in Hoban Hall at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Col. Steve DePyssler, USAF, Retired, was host for the luncheon. The luncheon is one of the largest in the nation. This year there were 725 in attendance, including 71 former POW’s and 215 Purple Heart recipients. Most are World War II veterans. The guest speaker was Congressman John C. Fleming, M. D.Those attending the event from Mount Vernon as shown in the accompanying picture were front row: Marshall and Lael Nelson, Barbara and Wayne Scott: back row: Jerry and Mary Jo Huff, and Rebecca, Gregg, Ariana, and Vada Huff.