November 09, 2017

Springfield Republican: Empty chair at US Capitol seeks to honor POW, MIA troops, serve as reminder to lawmakers

Congressional lawmakers this week lauded the addition of a new chair to the U.S. Capitol, which will honor American prisoners of war and the thousands of service members missing in action.

U.S. House and Senate leaders, Massachusetts legislators and veterans advocates unveiled and dedicated the commemorative chair, which will sit in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, during a Wednesday ceremony.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and other lawmakers contended that the empty chair will serve as a reminder to Capitol visitors and members of Congress, alike, of the sacrifices American soldiers have made and the costs of war.

"This chair is important as a way to remind people of those who didn't come home," Warren said in an interview. "But it is also important to remind people of the debt we owe to every single person who signs up for military service."

Read more on the Springfield Republican's website here.