In a ceremony on Veterans Day, Delaware State University unveiled the “POW/MIA Chair of Honor” in tribute to American servicemen and women who have been prisoners of war or are missing in action. This permanent monument in the first-floor northwest corner of the Claibourne D. Smith Administration Building reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who served.

The dedication of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor is part of a broader initiative across Delaware, which has established 68 such chairs statewide to honor veterans from various conflicts, including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. A plaque at the foot of the chair commemorates the courage of those who served and emphasizes the importance of remembering their stories.

Andre Swygert, an Air Force veteran, author, and retired U.S. Army Colonel Debbie Harrington, who currently serves as the first Vice Chair of DSU’s Board of Trustees, delivered keynote speeches. 

“I’m proud to be an American for many reasons. But one is that we stand alone in the world when it comes to identifying, retrieving, and honoring our nation’s war dead,” said Swygert. He noted that over 81,900 U.S. personnel remain unaccounted for, a number that includes nearly 78,000 from World War I and 72,000 from World War II, with significant figures also from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Remembering a DSU Prisoner of War

During the ceremony, Swygert shared the heartbreaking story of Marine Corps Capt. Larry Potts, a Smyrna native and a 1969 graduate of then-Delaware State College. Capt. Potts was involved in a mission to rescue a downed navigator during the Vietnam War when his aircraft was shot down. Despite efforts, he was unable to be rescued and was reported captured, ultimately dying in Quang Binh prison. His story highlights the personal sacrifices endured by veterans and their families.

Colonel Harrington concluded the ceremony with a powerful message: “With this ceremony, we remember and honor the sacrifices made, the lives lost, the families separated, the pain experienced, and the suffering endured. We can never really fully repay such an altruistic debt, but we can remember to remember.”

This dedication aligns with DSU’s initiative titled “Their Stories: Honoring Service, Sacrifice, and Spirit at Delaware State University,” which aims to celebrate veterans’ unique experiences and contributions within the DSU community, including faculty, students, and dependents.