The purpose of the conference was to develop strategies to facilitate the planning, budgeting, and programming of the personnel accounting effort for FY05 (fiscal year 2005) with input from the family and Veteran's organizations that have a stake in the accounting effort.

On the first day of the conference, an overview of current operations was presented by DPMO staff, U.S. Department of State, the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Commander of JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) along with the views and concerns of the various family organizations and veterans groups. As president of the Coalition of Families, I was among those who were invited to present our vision of the future for the POW/MIA mission. It is always an honor to represent all of the family members anytime I am in public in a forum such as this. My presentation included unresolved concerns as well as suggestions on how we could work together with DPMO to see those issues resolved. DPMO officials responded favorably and I was told that within a month I would receive responses to all of my requests.

One of the issues is the declassification of files, specifically, the Generic File. This file is one in which classified information regarding live sightings has been held in the DPMO office. We understand that according to DPMO staff that those files are being reviewed and some of the reports are in the declassification mode and should be made available for review in the near future. I asked that DPMO inform the family organizations of progress/changes and make the data available to families through several venues. For instance, DPMO could post availability of the files on the DPMO web-site, the National Archives at College Park Maryland, and the various casualty offices.

Live sighting reports received from those who either defect from North Korea or escape from POW camps need to be released to family members in a timely manner. Currently, we receive the information from an Asian News agency. The definition of "credible sightings" needs to be reexamined. We'd like a much more aggressive follow-up on alleged sightings in general.

One of the areas of concern for family members is how to do the research on their loved ones. We are grateful for receiving printed information on how to do this from DPMO, but it is extremely helpful to attend a workshop on how to use those resources. I asked DPMO to conduct a training and education workshop at the regional and national updates during a time that doesn't interfere with families meeting with their casualty office representative. Although in the last few years DPMO has provided family members with resources, it would be helpful if this information were explained in detail and the use of the resources demonstrated.

We have come to the realization that our veterans are the most precious resource we have in the accounting effort. Although DPMO attends reunions of veteran's organizations, we have discovered that this isn't sufficient to collect the much needed information from those who still remember what may have happened to a loved one. This information may include recalling events, interpreting documents, identifying photos, and possibly collecting old maps and charts. My request at the conference was for DPMO to develop and distribute a questionnaire so data can be collected with a comprehensive distribution. Veteran's magazines could use this form as well as family organizations (newsletters, web-sites, public speaking events). The questionnaire or where it could be located at could be published in local newspapers and should be published on the DPMO website.

It has been our desire to have family member representation in various positions within DPMO, JPAC, and JC (Joint Commission). This would be extremely beneficial to allow family members to have a voice and purpose for our loved ones. After all, no one has the passion for answers like a family member does. Some of the areas that we see that would be helpful are boards of inquiry, policy development and oversight, the Joint Commission, declassification, and Freedom of Information Act to name a few.

John Zimmerlee and his brother George are currently compiling information for a chronological data base. This information is generic in nature and specific as to date, location, etc. Data continues to be collected from National Archives in College Park Maryland, and is painstakingly input into the data base which is now available at a website specifically dedicated to this type of information: Korean War POW MIA Network.

I have requested that DPMO take on the task of collecting this information and inputting it into a data base and to make it available to family members with timely updates.

I was encouraged by remarks made after the presentation and in the public forum that my suggestions would be responded to within a month. As Mr. Jerry Jennings, said on the first day of the conference, "All of us working together is better than working alone." With the copies of my requests as well as suggestions in hand, it is my hope the FY05 will begin with a new and sharper focus on the accounting effort. I plan to follow-up on the requests made at the accounting conference and I will continue to represent you, our family members, and expect reasonable answers to reasonable requests.