POWs remembered at Andersonville

South of Atlanta is one of America's most interesting war memorials.

Called the National Prisoner of War Museum, the facility pays tribute to those gallant warriors held captive by the USA'S enemies throughout the last 200-plus years.

Located at Andersonville, Ga., the museum is starkly beautiful despite its somewhat forboding exterior. Yes, it looks somewhat like a prison, but the lessons offered inside tell the sad and sometimes triumphrant story of American prisoners of war.

The exhibits began with a graphic answer to the question "What is a POW?" This dramatic depiction is followed by areas telling stories of capture, horrible living conditions and the many ways captured soldiers shared news among their ranks.

Shared equally is the story of families and loved ones who waited at home often times for years -- other times in vain -- to hear of their soldiers' fate.

One of the most touching exhibits is a series of videos telling the story of Vietnam POWs and their families over the years. Some of those stories had happy endings with the soldiers returning home after as long as eight years. Others recounted years of waiting with no final resolution other than the dreaded knock on the front door.

A number of exhibits are the "treasures" made in the camps by the imprisoned soldiers. Most are simple devices made from sprigs of wire, fabric or shoe leather ...items that made their lives a bit more bearable. Others, like a tiny American flag, helped them maintain their pride during the long, hazardous days of imprisonment.

While located at a Civil War site, the POW museum deals with all American wars with special emphasis placed on World War II, Vietnam and more recent conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is a quiet, reverent place that quiets even normally loud batallions of Boy Scouts.

There are many lessons to learn there, so take your time to study everything including the pull-out drawers that tell the story of valiant POWs. Sit aside at least two hours. We spent four or more and still didn't see everything in this well thought-out museum.

Be sure to watch the visitors' center film. We saw "Echoes of Captivity," a 27 minute introduction to the experience of prisoners of war throughout American history.

Andersonville snd the POW museum are located in southwest Georgia. The park is approximately 12 miles north of Americus and 11 miles south of Montezuma on GA-49.




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