Occasionally, when I'm looking through the list of heroes reported missing for this blog, I come across something that makes me pause longer than usual. This was one of those. If you'll look in the list of "Reported Missing in Action" in today's news post, you'll find Theodore Kopfman. Below is what he had to say about his experience. Replace the word "communism" with "terrorism," and he could just as easily be speaking about the current enemy.

THEODORE S. KOPFMAN
Commander - United States Navy
Shot Down: June 15, 1966
Released: February 12, 1973

My family and I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the responsible, loyal, patriotic, and concerned people of this great Nation for coming to the aid of its POW's in the year 1969. You forced a cruel and sadistic enemy to drastically improve our treatment and living conditions by sounding the voice of our law abiding, normally silent majority.

Please don't allow yourself to take for granted the security provided by the United States of America. Since the conception of communism we have faced a deceitful, unethical, and subversive enemy that has sworn to destroy our way of life. That enemy is real and knows no limit in its use of deceptive propaganda, linguistical or synonymical distortion. It is important to understand and analyze the Communistic threat so that every thinking person, particularly our children, can appreciate how fortunate we are to live in America.

I request that you proudly display and demand respect for our National Ensign. We have every reason to be proud and grateful for our citizenship. It is essential that we protect the overwhelming good that exists within our form of Government as we patiently correct the very few weaknesses. Patriotism is "SUPER COOL," not old fashioned.

After six years and eight months as a POW, I possess a profound admiration for the leadership, wisdom, and unity exhibited by my shipmates in Hanoi. I proudly observed Americans of all colors, rank, and religions continuously supporting this country and each other, no matter how severe the punishment. Those of us who returned consider ourselves fortunate. I believe every one of us hope and pray you will never let the world forget the dead, the crippled, or missing in action. It is my humble privilege to serve our country in any capacity and under any circumstances.

December 1996

Theodore Kopfman retired from the United States Navy as a Captain. He and his wife Pat reside in Nevada.