Bay Visions News Brief – Hundreds Gather for Bay Pines POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony
1,051 views · Published 3 October 2016 · 3:12 · Indexed 6 November 2026
Channel: Veterans Health Administration · 2016 · Education
An emotional and solemn crowd of about 300 gathered at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center for the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System's POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony on September 13. Official POW/MIA insignias and flags were visible with every turn of the head as former prisoners of war, their loved ones, VA leaders and members of the community recognized the service and sacrifice of those held captive during wartime and those who never returned.Keynote speaker for the hour-long ceremony was retired U.S. Navy pilot Bradley E. Smith. Smith was held captive during the Vietnam War nearly seven years after his A-4 Skyhawk was shot out of the sky by the North Vietnamese Army on March 25, 1966. He was released on February 12, 1973 as part of Operation Homecoming after being held captive 2,516 days. http://www.baypines.va.gov/BAYPINES/news/BVNB.asp
