Bankers Life Field HousePOW*MIA Chair of Honor
The
Bankers Life Field House POW*MIA Chair of Honor was dedicated during
the half time show on Veterans Day November 12, 2017 when the Indiana
Pacers played the Houston Rockets.
The Announcers ScriptThe announcer read the following script for the dedication.
The
Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) “Chair of Honor” is
dedicated to those American Heroes that are still Listed as POW or MIA,
and symbolizes that there will always be a place in this arena awaiting
their return.
Since
WWII, 1,760 Indiana Service Members are still listed as
Unaccounted-For, and over 82,500 Nation-Wide. Their remains have not
been found, their whereabouts are unknown. Let us never forget their
sacrifice and the cost of our freedom.
The words “YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN”
will be engraved in the hearts and minds of the families of these brave
service members until the day their love one returns home.
Rolling
Thunder Indiana Chapter One and the Bankers Life Field House are
honored to present this “Chair of Honor” with the hope that one day all
of the Nation’s POWs and MIAs will be accounted-for and returned home.
Until then, this chair will remain unoccupied.
Assisting in unveiling of the Chair of Honor will be:
Jim Smith, brother of E7 Ronald Eugene Smith, who went missing in Laos on November 28th, 1970.
Tony Johnson, brother of E3 James Reed Johnson, who went missing in South Vietnam on August 21st, 1966
Joe Stuart, son of Lt. Colonel John Franklin Stuart, who went missing in North Vietnam on December 20th, 1972.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the unveiling of the POW*MIA Chair of Honor.
A few pictures of the event | 
From Left to Right
Vern Rensing, Joe Stuart,
and Terry "Flash" Sanderson | 
From Left to Right
Amy Stuart, Christina Johnson
Terry "Flash" Sandenson
and Karen Smith |
From Left to Right
Vern Rensing, Barbara Clark,
Terry "Flash" Sanderson
and Jimmy "Gashopper" Stevenson | 
Private Club House
provided by the
Indiana Pacers | 
Sports Graphics
Installation Team |
The POW*MIA Chair of Honor Dedication 
The POW*MIA Chair of Honor Dedication Video can be seen by
clicking on the below URL
Bankers Life Field House POW*MIA Chair of Honor Dedication Video
The
Chair used for the POW*MIA Chair of Honor was a Box Seat provided by
the Bankers Life Field House. The Plaque mounted to the Chair was made
by David Wooldridge. The platform that the Chair sits on was built by Chapter Member Dick Harrington.
The display was designed by Terry “Flash” Sanderson. Sports Graphics was responsible for putting the display together and having it installed.
The
Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and Sports Graphics provided
outstanding support to the Chapter on this special project.
The Director of Corporate Communications Eddie White and the Senior Director of Event Production and Sustainability Doug Weitkamp were responsible
for the approval and coordination in getting the POW*MIA Chair of Honor
installed at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Senior Account Manager/Sports Graphics Melissa Pierce and the Senior Account Executive, Section 127 Leeanne Singletary were responsible for coordinating the final design and putting it all together.
The Pacers Sports & Entertainment Stage Foreman Jerry Horne and the Vice President Game Entertainment Dean Heaviland were responsible for the halftime show to include the dedication.
The
members of Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter One appreciates all of the
support that was given on this special project. The next time you visit
the Bankers Life Field House, look for the POW*MIA Chair of Honor and
remember who it represents.
OUR NATION POWs and MIAs MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN |
