Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1373276
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 14 UCW MAY 19-25, 2021 ASOM exhibit honors prisoner of war experience by AUDREY HOGUE The Airborne and Special Operations Museum opened a new exhibit May 7 to honor American prisoners of war. Victory From Within: The American Prisoner of War Experience explores the POW experience through sections titled Capture, Prison Life, Those Who Wait and Freedom. The exhibit includes artifacts from James "Nick" Rowe, a Special Forces Lieutenant and POW held by the Viet Cong; Raymond Schrump, also a POW in the Vietnam War; and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Durant. The ASOM supplements the exhibit with POW artifacts from its own collection from World War II, Vietnam and Operation GOTHIC SERPANT, along with related artifacts from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum. Director of the museum Jim Bartlinski said, "I hope this exhibit brings a better understanding of the sacrifices our military men and women give for us to have our freedom." Rowe was captured by Vietcong communist guerillas on October 29, 1963, and spent five years in captivity moving between POW camps in South Vietnam. In December of 1968, Rowe escaped when he overpowered his guard and f lagged down an American helicopter. Schrump was a Special Forces Major assigned to Tay Ninh Province in southern Vietnam. He was taken prisoner by the Viet Cong on May 23, 1968, and held captive for close to five years. Durant was taken captive during operation GOTHIC SERPENT in October of 1993, when the Black Hawk helicopter he was f lying in Mogadishu was shot down by Somali militants. He was held captive for 11 days. "It is an honor and a privilege to bring these stories to the public and those within the military community," Bartlinski said. "I hope this exhibit will bring inspiration to those about to leave or returning from SERE training." SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. SERE training is required for military personnel whose assignment makes them vulne- rable to capture by the enemy or terrorists. SERE training prepares troops to resist the enemy's attempts at exploitation, to escape from captivity and to return home with honor. Rowe is credited with developing the course. After his retirement from service, Schrump was a speaker during the SERE course. This exhibit runs until September 26. It is offe- red in partnership with the Andersonville (Ga.) National Historic Site National Prisoner of War Museum. Admission to the museum is free. For more information on the ASOM and their upco- ming events visit w w w.asomf.org/. EVENT AUDREY HOGUE, Up & Coming Weekly Intern. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com 910-484-6200. ASSISTED LIVING | SECURED ASSISTED LIVING 910.849.2306 • HarmonyatHopeMills.com 7051 Rockfi sh Road | Fayetteville | NC | 28306 We anticipate their needs so you don't have to.