Greenville, S.C. - Vietnam War Veteran heroes from across the nation will descend on the Palmetto State for what may be one of the last in-person gatherings. The 49th Vietnam POW Reunion will be hosted in the City of Greenville from Tuesday, May 31st through Saturday, June 4th this year, and will be one of the largest gatherings of POWs in recent years and is supported by the State of South Carolina, Greenville County, the City of Greenville, and the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA).

“With our rich military tradition there is no place better to honor the sacrifices of our veterans than South Carolina,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “We welcome the Vietnam War POW Veterans to South Carolina and thank them for their service and sacrifice to our country.”

The National Organization of Former Vietnam POWs includes men who served in the Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Army. These Veterans averaged more than five years of torture and inhumane treatment as POWs. Today, less than 400 remain alive out of the original 662 military POWs. Eight of these men live in South Carolina.

Many of these Veterans are in declining health that prohibits them from traveling, and they are passing in larger numbers each year. They are scheduled to hold their 50th reunion in 2023 at the Richard Nixon Library and according to the NAM-POW board this one may very well be their last.

SCDVA Secretary Will Grimsley says the Palmetto State is thankful to the NAM-POW board (the board for the POWs) to anchor this year’s distinguished event. “South Carolina is humbled and honored to host these brave men and their families to our great State. They willingly put themselves in harm’s way in combat and endured enormous hardship in captivity. The combination of courage and resilience from 50+ years ago continues to inspire us today. Welcome home and welcome to South Carolina!"

“It’s an honor to host the former POWs in Greenville for their 49th Freedom Reunion,” said Brenda Stewart, chair of the Vietnam POW Reunion Foundation. “We have created some unique events that allow for community engagement and education. This is truly a historic event for all of South Carolina.”

There are two events open to the public during the Reunion week as follows: “Leadership and Life Lessons from Hanoi Hilton” pre-event leadership symposium being held on Tuesday, May 31st and the “Salute to America” at Fluor Field with America’s Tenor Steve Amerson, flag jump and fireworks on Friday, June 3rd.

The reunion week will conclude with a private gala event on Saturday, June 4th, and a closing breakfast on Sunday, June 5th. POWs attending the reunion will visit and tour BMW, Clemson University, and Lockheed Martin facilities in addition to other activities. Registration for the event closed as of May 1st. 100 former POWs and their spouses are expected to attend the reunion, 11 from the Palmetto State!

Corporate sponsors of the event include Lockheed Martin, Prisma Health, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Parker Poe, Vietnam Veterans of America, HMR Veterans Services, Inc., and more than two dozen other sponsors.

Brenda Stewart alongside former POW Chuck Jackson interviewed with Hannah Cumler on WIS TV's Soda City Live, WATCH HERE. 

Chuck Jackson is just one of the many Vietnam Veterans who will share their stories of service and survival during next week's 49th Annual Freedom Reunion that will be hosted by the Vietnam POW Reunion Foundation in Greenville, South Carolina, and supported by the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs.