Permanent POW-MIA memorial coming to downtown Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A permanent memorial honoring prisoners of war and American soldiers missing in action Is coming to Tallahassee.

A seven-foot-tall stainless-steel replica of the POW-MIA bracelet will forever be displayed downtown. It was custom-built through funds raised by Vietnam Veterans of America Big Bend Chapter #96 and is a non-political show of support for missing military members.

The chapter spent three years fighting to get it placed on state property. The state legislature approved it earlier in the year.

“The bill went to the governor’s office Monday morning, the Florida MIA-POW memorial bill to be placed next to the Vietnam Memorial monument which is across the street from the Old Capitol where the big flag flies and the governor signed it Monday night,” said Joe West, VVABB#96 President.

The chapter hopes to have it installed by National POW-MIA Recognition Day on September 17. The chapter will be paying for the memorial’s maintenance and upkeep.