College of the Ozarks POW/MIA memorial dedication to honor Veterans whose cherished stories educate students

For American service members held as Prisoners of War and those who never returned home, the consequences of war extend far beyond the battlefield. For their families, the wait for answers can last a lifetime.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, College of the Ozarks will dedicate a new POW/MIA Memorial in Patriots Park, creating a permanent place to honor those who endured captivity, remember those still Missing in Action, and reflect on the nation’s enduring commitment to bring them home.

As visitors make their way toward the memorial, the road serves as a reminder of the Americans who never returned home, those who remain missing and the families who still wait for answers. The path offers time to reflect on the lives lost, the sacrifices made and the stories that must never be forgotten. Though the road is long, the nation must never stop remembering those who served and never made it home. (Image courtesy of College of the Ozarks)

Among those attending the dedication are three former Prisoners of War whose experiences continue to shape how College of the Ozarks students learn about American military history. Through the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program (PETP), these Veterans have traveled or will travel alongside students to sites connected to the conflicts in which they served, providing firsthand perspectives that bring history beyond the classroom.

A classroom of living history

Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Certain, U.S. Air Force, retired, was captured after his B-52 was shot down over North Vietnam in December 1972. He spent 101 days as a prisoner of war before returning home in March 1973. Following his military service, Certain became an Episcopal priest and served as an Air Force chaplain. In 2007, he gave the eulogy at the funeral of former President Gerald R. Ford. Certain is scheduled to travel to Vietnam with the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program in March 2027, bringing his experience and perspective to students studying the Vietnam War.

Colonel John Clark, U.S. Air Force, retired, spent more than six years in captivity after his reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam in March 1967. Initially listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead, Clark endured 2,176 days as a Prisoner of War before his release in 1973. He later chronicled his experience in his book, “The Eagle Hunts.” Clark has traveled with the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program three times, sharing his story with students and helping them understand the realities of captivity, perseverance and the lasting bonds formed among prisoners of war.

Colonel Tom Moe, U.S. Air Force, retired, flew combat missions in Vietnam before being shot down over North Vietnam in January 1968. After evading capture for three days, he was taken prisoner and spent 1,881 days in captivity before his release in March 1973. Moe traveled with the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program in 2018 and is scheduled to return to Vietnam with the group in March 2027. During their imprisonment, Moe and Clark were cellmates at the infamous Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, known to American prisoners as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Their shared history offers students a firsthand perspective on the bonds forged among men who endured captivity together.

Through the Patriotic Education Travel Program, College of the Ozarks students travel to historically significant sites alongside Veterans who served in the conflicts they study. The program offers students opportunities to hear firsthand accounts, visit battlefields and memorials, and develop a deeper understanding of the human cost of war.

“Traveling alongside these Veterans and listening to their stories has been a deeply personal experience,” said Chassidy Brittain, director of patriotic activities at the College. “History takes on a different meaning when you stand beside the men who lived it, hear what they endured and begin to understand the sacrifices they and their families made. It is a privilege to help ensure their stories are heard and remembered, especially by the next generation. These are not simply stories from our nation’s past. They are the lived experiences of men whose courage and sacrifice deserve our lasting gratitude.”

The POW/MIA Memorial in Patriots Park

The new memorial was designed by James Hall, III, of Nixa, Missouri, whose work includes three other memorials in Patriots Park. Its features include the POW/MIA emblem, an eternal flame and a figure of a Prisoner of War reaching upward in prayer. Psalm 23 will be inscribed on the back of the monument.

In 2023, College of the Ozarks became the first college designated a POW/MIA Campus by the Board of Directors of the Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum. The designation reflects the College’s commitment to honoring American service members and educating future generations about the sacrifices made in defense of the nation.

The memorial will stand in Veterans Grove at Patriots Park, providing students, Veterans, families and visitors a place to learn, remember and reflect. Its message echoes the promise represented by the POW/MIA flag: You Are Not Forgotten.

The dedication ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Veterans Grove, Patriots Park, on the College of the Ozarks campus in Point Lookout, Missouri.

The public is invited to attend. A reception at The Keeter Center will immediately follow the ceremony.

Registration is available at https://forms.cofo.edu/252385066930965/prefill/68af4c8d623061de166647a92ae1?ticket=126&ref=https%253A%252F%252Fteams.public.onecdn.static.microsoft%252F