Speaking at a standing-room-only solemn memorial service Friday at Cathedral of the Air, Lakehurst, Col. Norman A. McDaniel, USAF (Ret.), said one belief that kept him and his fellow prisoners alive was the hope and expectation that they were not forgotten. "I believed that my fellow Americans back here had not forgotten and that they were working for me and my fellow prisoners' release."

McDaniel was one of 13 survivors of the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" in North Vietnam — known throughout the war for routine and brutal torture of captured Americans — in attendance for the base’s annual POW/MIA Remembrance Service.

In his introductory remarks, Capt. L. Bret Gordon, Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst's commanding officer, said it was the largest gathering of Hanoi survivors since their return from captivity.

After McDaniel spoke, veterans’ organization leaders, employees and students from a local school had a chance to place one rose on the alter in the chapel to remember those who died in captivity in service to the nation.

The previous evening the POWs were guests of CAPT L. Bret Gordon, the NAES Commanding Officer and his wife with support of the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society at their home. The morning of the annual ceremony, the NHLS provided a breakfast in the dining area after volunteers and sailors cleaned it and rearranged the furniture.

Following the service in the chapel, guests returned to the galley for a catered luncheon again provided by the NLHS. The official day concluded with the POWs attending the FY2007 Chief Pinning ceremony in Building 33 as CMC Paul Ducharme’s guests. At this final event, the POWs and new chiefs exchanged commemorative coins as part of the pinning ceremony.

After the morning memorial service, the base and Navy Lakehurst Historical Society unveiled the POW-MIA Remembrance Room, located underneath the back of CALASSES featuring artifacts and photos from American prisoners of war.

The POW-MIA Remembrance Room, lined with display boards depicts POW existence with photographs from before capture, from propaganda photos during captivity or upon release. Several glass cases scattered around the room feature military patches, military medals (including the medal of honor), uniforms from prisoners of war and homecoming uniforms, and items used while in captivity such as soap and a toothbrush and a pair of crutches donated from one of the POWs present.

The POW Room renovation and display preparation took nearly a year to complete, said Carl Jablonski, president of the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society. "We hope and pray that all of the people who come and visit take with them a slice of what we have to offer and share this with others to let them know what you endured during those terrible years in Vietnam."

At the close of his remarks McDaniel reminded the attendees, "Even as I speak, men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots in this world are laying their lives on the line, putting themselves in harm's way for us so we need to live a legacy that will help these young people to be strong."

CAPTION: Lakehurst POW/MIA Day Speaker Col. Norman A. McDaniel, USAF (ret.) joins others in placing a single rose in vase on alter after his address in memory of those who died as prisoners.