65th ANNIVERSARY MUKDEN POW CAMP TOUR con't

Jerry Ostermiller, the son of former POW Leo Ostermiller, read the “POWs Tribute” and this was followed by a message and prayer of Remembrance by Shelly Zimbler who, although not a POW himself, has been active for many years with the Mukden Survivors’ Group helping to organize their programs.

Ao and Pat Wang then laid flowers on behalf of the entire group and POWs John Lippard and Erwin Johnson laid poppies in tribute to their mates. This was followed by taps, a moment’s silence and then reveille played on a bugle.

Nine former Mukden POWs and Hal Leith at the
65th Anniversary Mukden POW Camp Memorial Service

Frmr OSS Agent Hal Leith / Tour Leaders Pat and Ao Wang

For the next couple of days we were kept very busy with press conferences, seminars at various universities, visits to the US Consulate and dinners. We did manage to do a little sightseeing one day at the Ching Dynasty Northern Palace and the Northern Imperial Tombs, and a few got to do a bit of shopping as well.

Inside the restored barracks building

On the last day we had a tour of the 918 Museum in the morning and then returned to the POW camp for one last time in the afternoon. This was perhaps the best visit as everyone just got to wander and see and do what they wanted. Here are a few photos from that time:

Randall Edwards sits on the reconstructed bed in
barracks # 1 where he slept 65 years ago.

Robert Wolfersberger describes life in the barracks and points out the stove – the only heat they had for the
– 40 C cold!

Roy Weaver points to his name which is listed on the Honour Roll of former POWs in the Mukden museum.

In the museum Erwin Johnson’s thoughts go back to 65 years ago.

Following the museum visit, we were hosted by the Mukden Study Group, a local organization devoted to the study of the Mukden Camp and to remembering the POWs. Everyone had a wonderful time and there was much warmth and friendship shown by our hosts as we fellowshipped together.

Our tour completed, the following day we returned to Beijing and I flew back home to Taiwan – to get ready for the next leg of my POW journey. I’m sure that this trip to Mukden will stay in everyone’s memories for a long time to come. We wish all the Mukden Group good success and the best of everything in the future.

© COPYRIGHT . . .
All material, including maps, photographs, drawings etc. on this site, is the copyright of the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society and/or those people or organizations who have contributed such material.
We are happy for material on the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society site to be used for schools or research purposes, provided reference is made to its source and/or the owner. No material may be used on another website or reproduced in any manner by any other means or method without permission from the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society.