Command Visit — Hawaii and a Discussion with DPAA

This episode of the #StillServing podcast aptly drops on the National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, April 9th. During the podcast, Rob speaks with Tim Borland, VFW Senior Vice Commander-In-Chief, and Duane Sarmiento, VFW Junior Vice Commander-In-Chief, about their informative trip to Hawaii to discover how the VFW can better support troops in the field. During their visit to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, they see firsthand how the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) works to bring back the remains of POW/MIA service members. To describe the mission of the DPAA in detail and describe how they piece together lost stories of American war history, Rob is joined by DPAA members Kelly McKeague, Director, Greg Kupsky, Historian, Rachel Wendt, Forensic Anthropologist, and Capt. Matt Moschgat, Executive Officer, DPAA Indo-Pacific Region.

Tim Borland, VFW Senior Vice Commander-In-Chief, and Duane Sarmiento, VFW Junior Vice Commander-In-Chief

• Tim and Duane describe the trip designed to gain an understanding of the military footprint in Hawaii. [2:55]
• Tim details the role of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and how they connect American families with veterans’ remains. [5:46]
• Why the VFW traveled to receive a strategic overview of possible threats from the Indo-Pacific command. [12:08]
• Learning about the Coast Guard's extensive responsibilities was a highlight of the visit to Hawaii. [18:18]
• Rob, Tim, and Duane were informed of the strategic repositioning of troops around the Pacific. [23:31]
• Duane summarizes the trip and the experience of being on board a brand new Navy destroyer. [29:57]
• Tim shares his final thoughts about the visit and his hope for future travel opportunities to connect with service members. [35:24]

Kelly McKeague, Director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Greg Kupsky, DPAA Historian, Rachel Wendt, DPAA Forensic Anthropologist, and Capt. Matt Moschgat, Executive Officer, DPAA Indo-Pacific Region

• Greg explains the conditions surrounding the Bataan Death March and why we commemorate it on April 9th. [41:41]
• Director McKeague describes the mission of the DPAA and how his team works together to fulfill our nation’s commitment. [44:28]
• Matt explains the role of Infantrymen in the DPAA’s mission. [48:06]
• Greg describes the process of reconstructing history through various sources of documentation. [51:52]
• DPAA works with U.S. Embassies in 46 other countries to help identify remains. [55:57]
• How listeners of the #StillServing podcast can assist the DPAA in the identification of service member remains. [59:04]

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

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@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

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