VA ECHCS Honors Former POWs during National Former POW Recognition Day

April 9 was chosen as National Former POW Recognition Day as this was the date in 1942 when U.S. Army Major Gen. Edward P. King Jr. surrendered 78,000 troops (66,000 Filipino soldiers and 12,000 U.S. troops) and control of the Bataan Peninsula to the Japanese during World War II, according to the official VA website. To this day, it remains the single largest contingent of U.S. soldiers to ever surrender at one time. 

It also commemorates the start of the 85-mile Bataan Death March, the forced march from the tip of Bataan (for most), and the thousands of American and Filipino troops who died during the march, in a hellacious box car train trip followed by another forced march to a makeshift POW camp at Camp O’Donnell in the Philippines that had only one spigot for water and poor conditions for many of the POWs.

VA ECHCS does its part in not only providing care for veterans in the greater eastern Colorado region who were POWs, but also recognizing their sacrifices and contribution and ensuring their experiences and legacies live on.

Retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Edwin Beck, a World War II and Korean War veteran, and a long-time Colorado Springs-area resident, was a U.S. soldier with the 106th Infantry Division during WWII who fought during the famous "Battle of the Bulge” in 1944. One night during the battle, his unit found themselves surrounded by German forces, and they were forced to surround. After six months, he and two other American soldiers escaped. He then continued to serve in the Army for almost another 30 years, including during the Korean War.

Beck has continuously worked in the veteran community to reduce veteran suicides by sharing his harrowing story and the hardships he overcame. As such, he has been recognized on multiple occasions for his efforts, even being recognized by VA Secretary Denis McDonough in August of 2023 for his service.

“Master Sergeant Beck, and other POWs like him, and their stories, are so important to not only other veterans within VA ECHCS, and the greater veteran community, but to our nation’s history,” said Amir Farooqi, VA ECHCS interim medical center director. “And this is why this day (National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day) is so important. It allows POWs to tell their stories and for other veterans to know they are not the only ones who have gone through something so profoundly and potentially traumatic during their service.”

Along with MSgt Beck, VA ECHCS will also recognize other local former POWs, such as retired U.S. Air Force MSgt James O’Neal Hughes, a former POW during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and U.S. Army Private First Class John Toth, a former POW who was captured during the Korean War.

Beck will be on hand to speak at the VA Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center as part of the day of recognition, as will Maggie Toth, the daughter of John Toth, and recognize other former POWs during the recognition day.

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Janelle Beswick, Acting public affairs officer

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