POWs share stories at Operation Homecoming recognition

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Veterans, military members, family and friends all gathered together Friday, April 21 at the Museum of Aviation to listen in on the experiences of Vietnam veterans who were once prisoners of war.

The event was part of the museum’s “Heritage Series” and commemorated 50 years since the cease-fire with North Vietnam. Speakers shared their memories on their time in POW camps, the day they were released, and what came after.

Dr. Douglas Kennedy, Assistant Professor of History at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, moderated the event.

Veteran speakers included: Gen. James “Jim” Sehorn, who is a middle Georgia native; Col. Leon “Lee” Ellis, who was held as a prisoner for more than 5 years; Capt. William “Bill” Arcuri, who was held 55 days until he was released; and Capt. Will Robinson, who spoke about the difficult transition prisoners of war face when coming home.

“I like to share this to you all, the best tour I have served, which is simultaneously, the one I would least like to repeat,” said Sehorn.

They spoke about the limited resources they had in prison, and about struggling with and overcoming PTSD after the war.

“Two pairs of pants, two shirts, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap and a cup,” Robinson listed. “Those were my worldly possessions for the next eight Thanksgivings and eight Christmases and eight New Years.”

Arcuri was the last person to speak at the panel and remembers his time being a prisoner. He said the only food they gave them was cabbage soup. He recalls losing 55 pounds during the 55 days he was a prisoner.

“The villagers would come up to the truck and poke us with sticks, beat us with sticks,” Arcuri said.

He was finally released on Feb. 12, 1973.

“These are my heroes,” he said, pointing to the other speakers on the panel.

Although it’s been decades since the release of the former POWs, they remembered the day they were captured and what it was like returning home after the war.

When the floor was open for Q&A, the first person who stood up began singing the national anthem. He invited everyone in the room to sing along to honor the speakers and their service in the war. The panelists were taken by surprise, and stood to sing along with the audience.

For more information on the Museum of Aviation or their upcoming events, you can visit their website, www.museumofaviation.org, or by visiting their Facebook page: “Museum of Aviation Robins AFB, Warner Robins, GA.”

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