I ask for your support of the Honor our Fallen Prisoners of War Act. I, like the majority of veterans and the public, wrongly believe that those unfortunate members of our armed forces who are captured and who die while a prisoner of war are awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Not so. These brave souls who suffered long and died a horrible death were not awarded the Purple Heart.

Since Dec. 7, 1941, approximately 17,000 service members have died while in the custody of the enemy and their deaths have never been appropriately recognized.

HR 2369, Honor Our Fallen Prisoners Of War Act, and its to-be-introduced companion bill in the Senate, would change current regulations governing the award of the Purple Heart Medal to include all who die while in the custody of the enemy as a prisoner of war.

The next of kin of these people recognize the Purple Heart Medal as final closure. No other medal says it like a Purple Heart. Most of the next of kin of those who died as prisoners of war have been told very little about their loved ones. They are searching for closure now.

Because the implementation of the Fallen Prisoners of War Act does not require significant funding, I suggest that it be included in the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act which is now pending resolution in Joint Committee.

Harold Fencl

Kenai