OUR MISSION
Honor All Former Prisoners of War; Remember and Never Forget Those Missing In Action Heroes and the Families Who Seek Their Return.
The National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum is located on 26-acres in Northeast Florida at the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Master Jet Base (1941-1999) currently known as Cecil Commerce Center.
The original POW/MIA Memorial, located just south of the Chapel of the High-Speed Pass, was dedicated to those Naval Aviators stationed at NAS Cecil Field during Vietnam and Desert Shield/Storm eras. This area is often referred to as Heroes’ Walk & Freedom Trees. The “Vietnam War Memorial” was originally dedicated on September 11, 1973 by the families and service members who wanted to ensure these brave men would never be FORGOTTEN. A pavilion with a stage area, a metal starburst display of aircraft, and a granite base seal of this former Master Jet Base were located at the end of the boulevard amongst the pines. This area was often used by the base for recognition services and ceremonies.
A driving force behind establishing the original memorial was Mary Hoff, wife of MIA Pilot LCDR Michael G. Hoff, still unaccounted for as of 2022. Mary was also instrumental in developing the POW/MIA flag, adopted by the National League of POW/MIA Families in early 1972 and now a Congressionally approved National Ensign. Besides the American flag, this is the only other flag authorized to fly over the White House and the only other flag that can fly on the same flag staff below the American flag.
Undoubtedly, this flag has become a vital symbol for POWs and MIAs, their families and friends and for our current and future armed forces. It assures our military that should they be captured or go missing, their nation will do all it can to bring them home.
The establishment of a National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum in Jacksonville will give visitors of all ages a fully planned indoor and outdoor complex to reflect, learn, do research, hear the stories, experience interactive displays and attend ongoing events
Please help us continue this legacy!
Mike Cassata
Executive Director
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The proposal to build the Cecil Field Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Museum is a great opportunity to honor the service members who did not return home from war.
The POW/MIA Memorial would serve to honor those who fought selflessly and tirelessly to preserve our American values and way of life. This monument would be a haven of reverence, so we may remember them and pay respects to our nation's heroes.
Your proposal to use part of the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field for a POW/MIA Memorial is a fitting location to pay tribute to this very special group. Given that Mary Hoff, the creator of the POW/MIA flag, is a long-time resident of Jacksonville, and that her husband, Lieutenant Commander Michael G. Hoff, is memorialized at Cecil Field, there could not be a more appropriate site for the POW/MIA Memorial.
I am in full support of your organization's efforts to establish a memorial and museum honoring our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action on the grounds of former Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida. I was proud to serve in two assignments at NAS Cecil Field. First, as a pilot in the VA-44 Replacement Air Group squadron in 1966, and as Commanding Officer of Replacement Air Group VA-174 "Hellrazors" at Cecil Field from 1976 to 1977, then the largest aviation squadron in the U.S. Navy.
Unaccounted for from Past Conflicts
SOURCE: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
(Last Updated: August 24, 2022)
“The National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum supports the efforts of our government and foreign governments to achieve the fullest possible accounting for those still Missing in Action and unaccounted for from all wars – past, present and future. See the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) website at dpaa.mil for additional information about those who are still unaccounted for.”
National POW/MIA Recognition Day featured on First Coast Living
Buddy Harris (National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum Spokesperson) and Kemal Gasper (Vice President of Community Engagement & Sponsorships at VyStar Credit Union) discuss the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Memorial Service that was held today at the Chapel of...
National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2022
Join Us In Honoring NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAYMEMORIAL SERVICE Friday, September 16, 202210:30AM Future site ofThe National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum Chapel of the High-Speed Pass Grounds6112 POW-MIA Memorial Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32221VIETNAM MEMORIAL...
4th Annual Golf Tournament
It is time for our annual golf tournament.This year's tournament will be held at theEagle Harbor Golf Club Monday, October 24, 2022Registration/Warm-up/Pre-Event 11:15am - 12:15pmShot Gun Start 12:30 pmBBQ Dinner/Awards Ceremony/Raffle 5:30 – 6:30 pm Raffle tickets...
PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Construction is ongoing for Phase 1 that will recognize and honor all who served at NAS CECIL FIELD MASTER JET BASE (1941-1999). The site plan for Phase 1 includes construction of the jet display area with runway replicas, walkways, benches, lighting, and the...
The Jaguars Foundation Grant Commitment of $100,000.00 for the National POW/MIA Memorial
The Jaguars Foundation Grant Commitment of $100,000.00 for the National POW/MIA Memorial at Cecil Field was received by Chaplain Patrick Archuleta, a Board of Directors Member and Managing Chaplain for the Chapel of The High-Speed Pass. Chaplain Archuletta recently...
National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum is One of A Kind
The National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum was featured on First Coast Living on March 24th, 2022. There are over 80,000 POW/MIA's and there finally is a place their family can call home for support while also honoring the patriotic sacrifice of their loved ones.
