LIBERTY VOICES: FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK
Our nation has set aside the third Friday of September each year to reflect upon, honor and get an update on the efforts to bring home military Servicemembers who were taken as prisoners of war (POW) and those who remain missing in action (MIA). Many of our nation’s POWs and MIA were naval aviators and pilots stationed at NAS Cecil Field or flew from aircraft carriers stationed at NS Mayport. I continue to be amazed at the diversity of military operations and missions on The Liberty Coast(SM). After compiling this issue of Liberty Life, I wanted to highlight some of the stories we covered, as well as items we didn’t have room for. One story you’ll read more of in this issue is about the designer of the POW/MIA flag—Mary Hoff—who was living in Orange Park, Florida when her husband, Lieutenant Commander Michael G. Hoff, was shot down during the Vietnam War. Regrettably, his remains have not yet been recovered. The POW/MIA flag is the only flag—aside from the U.S. flag—authorized to fly over the White House. It’s also the only other flag that can fly on the same flagstaff as the American flag. We introduce you to the mission of local Veterans and residents to establish the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum at Cecil Field for those still not home. There is not currently a national memorial for ALL missing in action, which this group intends to change. The beginnings of their project resulted in the refurbishment and renaming of the base chapel at Cecil to Chapel of the High-Speed Pass. That name often reminds me of the scene from “Top Gun”...do you know the one? Speaking of Cecil Field—now Cecil Commerce Center and Cecil Airport—there is considerable military operations and defense industry activity happening on the far west side of Jacksonville, or the northside of ever-growing Middleburg, depending on your perspective. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) operates their only armed-helicopter squadron there, appropriately abbreviated “HITRON.” The Florida National Guard and the Custom and Border Protection Services (CBP) operate aviation missions from Cecil. The HITRON and CBP often deploy as far away as the eastern Pacific to protect and defend us. Boeing, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) and Pratt and Whitney (aka: jet engine gurus) tag team to repair and maintain military aircraft. Boeing and FRCSE are also tricking out the F-18 Super Hornet jets that will be debuting at NAS Jacksonville next April as part of the Navy’s Blue Angels. LSI, Inc. develops cutting edge military aircraft maintenance training courses while the Cecil Airport routinely hosts soon-to-be naval aviators in their aircraft carriers qualifications training. I love living on The Liberty Coast(SM). The list of military operations and missions is vast and varied. Keep reading, and each issue of Liberty Life will give you a nuanced glimpse of all The Liberty Coast(SM) has to offer. Send me your feedback at Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com or call me at 904.476.7861.
On Base • In Town • Pro-Military. Joe Snowberger U. S. Navy Mustang (Ret)
Publisher I Liberty Life Media
We celebrate Constitution Day with this exclusive rendering of the U.S.S. Constitution by local watercolorist Chris Flagg, FASLA
Liberty Life
SEPTEMBER 16 2020//VOL.1 ISSUE 6
CONTENTS
Cover Photo Credit: Cecil Field POW/MIA MEMORIAL, INC.
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The Liberty Coast
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Origins of a National Emblem Liberty Coast:
The Chapel of the High-Speed Pass
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Liberty Resources:
Loved Ones and Survivors of Suicide Resources
7 Feature: POW/MIAs - Until they all Come Home 9 Liberty Calendar 11 Feature: The Perseverance of a POW 13 News Briefs 15 U.S. Air Force Birthday
LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 6
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