The Prisoner of War Missing in Action issue in America has long been a confusing and complex issue. Better than 83% of active duty personnel believe that Americans are still being held against their will in Southeast Asia.
Many American's, veterans in particular have invested many man hours and lobbying efforts to increase the awareness of the issue to the public and elected public officials as well. They've done a good job.
The fact remains however that with so many people of strong and qualified opinions on this issue, little has actually been done. That is the tragic legacy of this concern.
It's not enough to say that Vietnam was twenty years ago, or for that matter Korea, World War II, and World War I -were even further away in time because during the Gulf War we actually committed the same mistakes.
Many people have lost faith in the leadership of America for what was done to the abandoned servicemen and women of our armed forces. For the benefit of our nation and all those who serve our country today and tomorrow in uniform, "The Patriot's Way", was written. The idea was to create a body of work that would display a personal commitment to the issue and reveal government documents that give the clearest explanation of the issue. In addition to show the "good" work that the government is capable of doing when allowed to do so to help restore faith in the process.
The book is sectioned first with the personal story of the author and his work in Vietnam on the POW/MIA issue and the personal commitment of time and money he committed to the cause. Following that are two government reports that never received widespread coverage but which are historic works deserving to be read by every veteran, active duty person, parents of both and those who aspire to service in uniform and every American.
The work is not intended to discourage service but to inspire patriotism at home in the citizen population and within the ranks of the military by confirming our dedication to their total well being. To also serve notice to foreign powers that the American people have the power to revisit any issue they want and that this issue is one that will always receive very close examination by the American public.
The included government reports were edited by the author making them easier to read by enlarging type where necessary and formatting for easier reading making them a work that any serious follower of the POW/MIA issue will treasure for a great many years to come.
The work is suggested reading for all military personnel, active, retired or honorably discharged personnel, family members of same, students of history, international diplomacy, international humanitarian interests and anyone with the slightest interest in the POW/MIA issue.
Joseph M. Corrigan is the American instrumental in repatriating the first ever remains of sixteen U.S. servicemen from Cambodia. He credits the Vietnamese Government in part for that success. The families that were fortunate enough to receive remains for burial were never informed of his efforts on their behalf. To help address the common humanitarian concerns between the people of Vietnam and the United States he sold his pension fund and went to Hanoi, Vietnam alone. He financed his own efforts because no corporation was willing to sponsor a POW/MIA effort. First warned by the U.S. Government not to go to Vietnam he later received an endorsement by the State Department and the United Nations for his non-government organization activity. He had the courage of conviction to get the job done. He did what he could with what he had and made a difference to the world. In addition he was a candidate for Congress in the Republican Primary of 1994. He was awarded by the New York State Naval Militia for his humanitarian work & received a PhD. in Theocentric Business and Ethics from the American College of Metaphysical Theology.
