POW silences crowd with talk

Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2002

To a hushed crowd and with an air of deep respect, a U.S. Navy chaplain read a Code of Conduct.

A few moments later, military personnel, retirees, civilians and high school students hung on every word of a former prisoner of war who, for five years, mustered every scrap of his inner strength to remain true to that Code of Conduct.

The gathering took place Friday at the Sentinel Memorial at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Seaplane Base, to honor and recognize American military members who became prisoners of war and those missing in action. The presentation was part of the national POW-MIA Recognition Day, as designated by the president.

Lawrence Writer of Bothell, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who was shot down in his F-4 aircraft and captured by the enemy in 1968 in Vietnam, was guest speaker. Writer remained a prisoner of war for five years, more than 1,800 days by his count, before being returned to the United States in 1973.

Writer shared his story of 666 days in solitary confinement, followed by three more years of captivity with other American military personnel, some of which was spent at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” He shared details of how the enemy captors tried to break their spirit and resolve, and of how the Americans banded together to resist the emotional, and sometimes physical abuse.

Writer made it through, returning home to his wife and daughters, and continuing his military career. His daughters were babies when he left for Vietnam, and were five-and-a-half and six-and-a-half years when he returned. Writer also has a son.

“I missed all the cute years with them,” Writer said with regret. “But now I’m a grandfather,” he said, his expression brightening.

The Oak Harbor High School Chamber Choir participated in the solemn ceremony, singing the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”

The program concluded with a 21-bell-salute, the raising of the POW-MIA flag, and the playing of Taps.