Margaret Quinones of La Puente, Past Department President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of California, has announced the 23^rd annual POW/MIA Christmas Candlelight Service will be held Sunday, December 6^th, 5:00 p.m., at Abraham Lincoln American Legion Post 241, 4725 N Maine, Baldwin Park.  Each year the service recognizes and honors all POW/MIA’S, but specifically those from the San Gabriel Valley area, including Steven M. Hastings, Michael “Bat” Masterson, James Lutrell, Ronald Leslie Bond, Albro Lundy Jr., Richard Elzings, Richard C. Sather, Charles E. Shelton, Douglas Alan Ross, Donald E. Crone, Robert E. Grantham, George W. Morris Jr., Lawrence T. Holland, James M. Ray, William T. Brown, James R. McElvain, James L. Carter, Donald H. Asire, Gary P. Westott, John L. Robertson, Vaughn Maurice Hines and Larry J. Stevens.  Special guests will include the families of the POW/MIA’s as well as many dignitaries from The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

Lighting of the Service Candles, one for each branch of the service, is followed by lighting of individual candles for each of the local servicemen missing in action or prisoners of war.  Guest speaker is John Pagal II, Chairman of Task Force Omega of Southern California, and special music will be provided by Loretta Martinez-Corpis of San Gabriel.

Units of the American Legion Auxiliary will hostess a reception following the ceremony and trimming and lighting of the “Freedom Tree” by the Junior members of the Auxiliary. Everyone is invited to attend.

For additional information, please contact Peggy McIntosh, Public Relations Chairman  – 626-287-0139