NJ Sons Of American Legion Hold Annual POW/MIA ‘Watchfire’ (PHOTOS)

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 105, which is based in Belleville, NJ. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

“Honor, sacrifice, loneliness, and sorrow for the men that are missing and families that long for their return.”

Speaking about a night with perhaps 200 attendees, Past Detachment Commander Mike Arner of Leonardo Squadron 338 reflects on the 35th Annual POW/MIA Watchfire, run by the Sons of American Legion Detachment of New Jersey in Seaside Heights, NJ.

The event honors New Jersey’s Prisoners of War (POW’s) and Missing-in-action (MIA) serviceman throughout American history – held each year on the weekend of POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is always the third Friday of September.

It starts at 7 pm with ceremonies and speeches, followed by dinner and the reading of New Jersey’s missing. The Watchfire continues for twelve hours, until its conclusion at 7 am the next day. Throughout the overnight, a huge bonfire on the bay-side of Seaside Heights is continuously fed – representing a light being shined to help those POW’s and MIA’s find their way home.

It is a night focused on remembering – honoring the service of the over 1,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airman who since World War II never made it home. The numbers of unaccounted-for personnel are staggering, currently at 83,000 nationally since the First World War. The Detachment’s Watchfire is one small way for our state and country to pay tribute in memorium to their service and sacrifice.

“May the Watchfire only grow better and stronger…”, notes Past National Vice Commander Tom Marsden, from New Jersey, “…as it reminds America to never forget and bring them home.”

A truly emotional evening, to be sure.

After an opening ceremony which includes an explanation of the POW/MIA Missing-Man Table, the POW Flag, poems, and readings, veterans from throughout the state read the names of New Jersy’s missing, noting their branch of service. For some, it even has a heavier impact as they knew or served with names on that roll.

With hundreds of pallets donated from a local company, in a pit on the beach lined with a donated “burn box”, the fire reaches fifteen feet tall all night, being visible by the entire Barnegat Bay area. The Watchfire, though, has not always been held in Seaside on the water – it began in 1990 at Garret Mountain outside Paterson, NJ.

The fire has always been stoked by Sons and volunteers throughout the night, who stand vigil in memory of the missing.

The event is unique – not being held any where else in the national organization – and was attended this year by the newly elected Sons of The American Legion National Commander, William “Bill” Clancy III on his official visit to The Garden State. National Commander Clancy participated in feeding the fire as well, tossing pallets into the bonfire.

At 7am the next morning, those who have stayed up all night along with others rally again to end the vigil with a closing ceremony and prayer. The hope is that with this POW/MIA Watchfire, the Detachment of New Jersey brings awareness to the fact that so many gave their all in service to their country – and never made it home.

“The Watchfire to me is a very somber occasion”, noted Watchfire Chairman Rich Hodum. “It is a way to keep the public apprised of the POW/MIAs that are still unaccounted for and for the country to not give up hope that someday they will all be returned.”

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our service members and veterans. Founded in 1932, Sons of The American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires, and is open to all male descendants of eligible veterans. Completing the Legion Family, in the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.

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