Amarillo VA honors POW Veteran on Former POW Recognition Day
The Amarillo VA Health Care System honored former Prisoner of War (POW), Dan L. McKinney, with a luncheon on April 9, 2024.
U.S. Army Veteran Dan L. McKinney was drafted in 1944 during WWII and discharged in 1947. McKinney enlisted in the inactive reserves and was called back to duty in 1951 during the Korean War with K-company, 19th regiment, 24th division. While in Korea, McKinney was captured in April 1951, on what would have been his wedding day, and was held prisoner until he was released in August 1953. Upon return, McKinney went home to Clovis, New Mexico, and married his awaiting bride. Watch him tell his story here.
“Honoring our former POWs is the least we can do to show our gratitude for their service and thankfulness for their return home,” said Dr. Rodney S. Gonzalez, Director of AVAHCS. “Mr. McKinney is an American war hero with an incredible story and we are honored to recognize him as well as all former POWs past and present.”
National Former POW Recognition Day is observed annually on April 9 as a way to honor POWs that were fortunate to return home. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is held annually in September to honor those that never returned home.