It wasn’t always like this.

Friday, November 12, 1999

It wasn’t always like this.

There was a time when America’s veterans organizations were reluctant to embrace the prisoners of war and missing in action veterans.

So unpopular was the Vietnam War that recognition of POWs and MIAs was stifled.

Today, the black and white POW/MIA flags fly with others at veterans service organizations headquarters everywhere.

On Veterans Day, POWs and MIAs were mentioned in the prayers of their comrades.

Bob Minto, senior vice commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216, called for a moment of silence Thursday amidst the hubbub of the celebration at Austin VFW headquarters.

VFW Post No. 1216 is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year and the 75th Veterans Day observance was a combination of the celebratory and the solemn.

As soon as Minto made the announcement over the hall’s public address system, veterans once again showed their respect for other veterans, this time, POWs and MIAs.

Hats, caps and other covers were removed from heads, men and women rose from where they were seated and all bowed their heads at Minto’s command.

Nearby was a table service prepared for, Minto explained, "the POWs and MIAs in hopes they will all come home."

Minto is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a machinist’s mate during the Vietnam War. Now, senior vice commander, he will be installed as quartermaster soon.

Twice, he has been Post No. 1216’s commander and once he served as the district VFW commander.

Don Fuller, the post’s outspoken commander, is a 30 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, who saw duty during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

He is a three-time Post No. 1216 commander.

Surveying the crowded VFW headquarters, Fuller observed, "This is marvelous. Just marvelous to see so many veterans in one place having fun at the same time on Veterans Day."

"It shows they still care," Fuller said.

Among the exhibits were the Poppy Day displays, which have earned awards for Post No. 1216 in the past. The newest one, designed by Minto himself, carried with it the theme: "Honor the Dead by Helping the Living."