01-Jun-04
For years, I have been wanting to establish a relationship with
the local office of my elected representatives. Nothing sordid, mind you,
strictly platonic. This would be a relationship based in need. The families of
the Korean and Cold war missing need our Representatives and Senators to watch
over and light fires under DPMO and the administration. To do that, advisors to
our reps need to know that families of MIAs are among their constituency. They
need to be educated on the issues and inspired to act on our behalf. They need
to know their bosses' votes matter. They need to believe that this is not an
issue of the past but a vital concern that must be given high priority for both
now and in the future.
It's intimidating, however, and I
discourage easily. (For a long time,
I didn't even know who my congressperson was. That's embarrassing.) I began wondering if other family members wanted
to do the same thing but were also daunted by the process. So I've decided to
chronicle the experience. This article begins a series of my little saga. It
will begin with the simplest steps … phone calls, writing letters and
researching background material … then move on to locating documents, deciding
what issues need to be promoted, the meetings themselves, and following up.
All of the material I gather will appear on the Coalition website.
Family members can download what they want and alter to suit your own
needs. There will be links to locate
your representative's district offices,
phone numbers and addresses. The idea is to make it simple, of course.
And I mean simple. Too much complexity invites procrastination. Baby steps. A phone call here …
a few words written there … laying the groundwork and then one
day, it'll be done. That's the hope, anyway.
The focus will be on the issue at large, by the way. This won't be
personal. Well, maybe my father will come up at times but only when something
active arises or to personalize matters. My overall mission will be to instill
awareness for the plight of all the missing men. This needs to be done first.
In my heart, they all need to be accounted for. Plus, in truth, most of us will
only find answers for our own loved one by having all of the missing pursued.
The goal will be to establish ongoing relationships with a liaison
in each local office; someone that I can call by name … who knows my story, the
issue at large, and can advise their boss when matters arises. Just imagine if
every Senator and Representative was aware and inspired to act on MIA issues.
Whether it is because they actually care themselves or simply feel pressure
from the people who elect them. I don't care. The families will have another
tool to use, another outlet for our voice. It will be that many more people
searching for answers. And that's worth fighting all of the procrastination
I'll certainly muster.
Stay tuned.
(Lt. Hal Downes was reported missing when his
B-26 was lost over N. Korea in January, 1952.)
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Coalition Headquarters P.O. Box 7152 Roanoke, VA 24019-0152 email@coalitionoffamilies.org |