![A rendering of the POW/MIA Memorial at College of the Ozarks features a dark stone monument bearing the POW/MIA emblem and the words “You Are Not Forgotten.” The monument stands on a circular stone platform surrounded by black posts and chains, with a lantern at its base. A concrete walkway leads to the memorial, bordered by landscaped beds of purple and white flowers. Trees and open green space surround the site, creating a peaceful setting for remembrance. Several people stand near the monument, reflecting on the sacrifices of prisoners of war and service members missing in action.]()
On Thursday, Nov. 5, College of the Ozarks will dedicate a new POW*MIA Memorial in Patriots Park, creating a permanent place to honor those who endured captivity, remember those still Missing in Action, and reflect on the nation’s enduring commitment to bring them home. The memorial will stand in Veterans Grove at Patriots Park, providing students, Veterans, families, and visitors a place to learn, remember, and reflect. Its message echoes the promise represented by the POW/MIA flag: You Are Not Forgotten
Three former prisoners of war connected to Patriotic Education Travel Program to attend Nov. 5 dedication
For American service members held as Prisoners of War and those who never returned home, the consequences of war extend far beyond the battlefield. For their families, the wait for answers can last a lifetime.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, College of the Ozarks will dedicate a new POW*MIA Memorial in Patriots Park, creating a permanent place to honor those who endured captivity, remember those still Missing in Action, and reflect on the nation’s enduring commitment to bring them home.
Among those attending the dedication are three former Prisoners of War whose experiences continue to shape how College of the Ozarks students learn about American military history. Through the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program (PETP), these Veterans have traveled or will travel alongside students to sites connected to the conflicts in which they served, providing firsthand perspectives that bring history beyond the classroom.
A Classroom of Living History
Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Certain, U.S. Air Force, retired, was captured after his B-52 was shot down over North Vietnam in December 1972. He spent 101 days as a prisoner of war before returning home in March 1973. Following his military service, Certain became an Episcopal priest and served as an Air Force chaplain. In 2007, he gave the eulogy at the funeral of former President Gerald R. Ford. Certain is scheduled to travel to Vietnam with the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program in March 2027, bringing his experience and perspective to students studying the Vietnam War.
Colonel John Clark, U.S. Air Force, retired, spent more than six years in captivity after his reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam in March 1967. Initially listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead, Clark endured 2,176 days as a Prisoner of War before his release in 1973. He later chronicled his experience in his book, The Eagle Hunts. Clark has traveled with the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program three times, sharing his story with students and helping them understand the realities of captivity, perseverance, and the lasting bonds formed among prisoners of war.
Colonel Tom Moe, U.S. Air Force, retired, flew combat missions in Vietnam before being shot down over North Vietnam in January 1968. After evading capture for three days, he was taken prisoner and spent 1,881 days in captivity before his release in March 1973. Moe traveled with the College’s Patriotic Education Travel Program in 2018 and is scheduled to return to Vietnam with the group in March 2027. During their imprisonment, Moe and Clark were cellmates at the infamous Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, known to American prisoners as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Their shared history offers students a firsthand perspective on the bonds forged among men who endured captivity together.
Through the Patriotic Education Travel Program, College of the Ozarks students travel to historically significant sites alongside Veterans who served in the conflicts they study. The program offers students opportunities to hear firsthand accounts, visit battlefields and memorials, and develop a deeper understanding of the human cost of war.
“Traveling alongside these Veterans and listening to their stories has been a deeply personal experience,” said Chassidy Brittain, director of patriotic activities at the College. “History takes on a different meaning when you stand beside the men who lived it, hear what they endured, and begin to understand the sacrifices they and their families made. It is a privilege to help ensure their stories are heard and remembered, especially by the next generation. These are not simply stories from our nation’s past. They are the lived experiences of men whose courage and sacrifice deserve our lasting gratitude.”