Received this from another list and thought someone might be interested. Unsung Heroes At Last Honored at New Prisoner of War Museum ****** The following is a press release from the National Parks Service regarding the dedication of the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site. The dedication of the museum is on April 9. ****** (ANDERSONVILLE, GA.)--Of the estimated 800,000 American men and women who have been held as prisoners of war throughout the nation's history, about 56,000 are alive today. And many of those former POWs are expected here April 9 for the dedication of the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site. For people like William Bearisto, of Waltham, Mass., a prisoner of the Germans in World War II, it will be a particularly poignant moment. "You do not appreciate your freedom until it is taken away," said Bearisto. "This museum will help people begin to understand the sacrifices made by our veterans and the value of freedom in our country." His sentiments are echoed by William L. Fornes, a Korean War POW, now a resident of Valdosta, Ga., who played a key role in establishing the new museum. "To be born free is an accident," said Fornes. "To live free is a privilege, and to die free is a responsibility. Andersonville is a fitting memorial to the spirit as well as the experiences of all POWs." The museum is located adjacent to an infamous Civil War prison on the grounds of a national park site authorized by Congress as a nation's grateful tribute to all U.S. men and women, civilian and military, who have been POWs--from the American Revolution to Desert Storm. Many of the former POWs contributed or helped raise money to finance the $5.8 million memorial. And one of their own--Arizona Senator and former Vietnam POW John McCain--will be the featured speaker at the dedication ceremony. Fred Boyles, superintendent of Andersonville National Historic Site, said the museum dedication may be one of the last gatherings for some POWs from World War II and Korea. "In 1982, more than 93,000 former POWs were still alive," said Boyles. "Now that number is down to about 56,000. So this national memorial takes on added significance to those veterans who are nearing the end of their lives." Sally Bateman Morgan, who was a child when she was captured with missionaries by Japanese troops in the Philippines during the second world war, said, "Andersonville will tell our story to a world who needs to know what supposedly civilized people can do to their fellow men, women and children." Morgan, who now lives in Grand Prairie, Texas, added, "We are the survivors and this museum is a testament to our survival." Another German POW, Louis D. Guillory, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., noted that the museum "leaves a legacy to our children and grandchildren that the price of freedom is not free. "I would not hesitate to do it all over again in order to preserve what we have and to leave freedom to our families," Guillory said. Renea Burkholder TNGenWeb Coordinator for Decatur Co., TN http://www.tngenweb.usit.com/decatur Listowner: Decatur Co, TN Mail list TNDECATU- L@rootsweb.com