Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 29, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke pays tribute to America's fallen

MAPLE VALLEY — Gov. Gary Locke today gave special thanks to the men and women who search for soldiers, sailors and fliers lost in action and then return to the United States for burial of the remains of those who died in their country's service.

In his remarks at Memorial Day ceremonies at the Tahoma National Cemetery here, Locke saluted the Americans who have died in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Somalia.

He added, "In all these wars, we want to reclaim the fallen so that they can be buried, and honored, close to their homes."

The governor cited the work of the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, whose members search for the missing and return the remains of the dead.

In reference to that group, Locke said, "While you often deliver bad news, you also bring closure to families who may have spent years wondering about the fate of their son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister."

He noted that those military detectives recently were responsible for returning the remains of two Washington pilots killed decades ago in Southeast Asia. The body of Army Lt. Jim McQuade, of Hoquiam, was returned home for a May 13 burial after his helicopter was found 27 years after it was shot down by enemy fire in Vietnam. Locke said the investigators were able to identify McQuade's remains through dental records, DNA and a religious medal given to him in 1971 by his sister and mother.

A tip about a former enemy soldier bragging recently in a Vietnamese bar led the investigators to the crash site of a plane piloted by Air Force Colonel George W. Jenson of Seattle. The plane was shot down over Laos 34 year ago. The colonel's remains were identified by a piece of a camera he owned and by dental records.

The governor also called upon all Americans to pause for a Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. today in honor of deceased service people.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive