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Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union unveiled a POW/MIA National Chair of Honor on Friday, November 9, 2018. A dedication ceremony was held inside the Credit Union’s West Point branch, it was attended by Merck veterans and employees, as well as Credit Union members and employees. The National Chair of Honor is an empty chair cordoned off by a velvet rope and flanked by the American and POW/MIA flags. The chairs inscription declares “You Are Not Forgotten. Since World war II more than 82,000 soldiers are unaccounted for.” The unoccupied seat is a visual reminder of the sacrifices made by those serving this country. The dedication ceremony began with a few words from Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU CEO, Dave Whitehead, who spoke about what this remembrance meant to him personally and to the families of those affected by the loss of military veterans. After the unveiling, Dawn Fitzgerald, Merck’s Chapter lead for the West Point Veterans Employee Business Resource Group (BRG) and former military veteran, spoke about the sacrifices made by veterans’ service to this country. Mr. Patrick J. Hughes, a Rolling Thunder Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, who brought the National Chair of Honor program to the Credit Union’s attention, emphasized the importance of remembering and that each veteran has earned the right to come home. Also presented were donations of food items collected by all Credit Union branch members to be included in holiday care packages being sent to current military personnel overseas. MSDFCU is honored to be the first credit union in the U.S. to install “One Empty Seat” the POW/MIA National Chair of Honor. The chair was previously displayed in both the Lansdale and Collegeville branches and will travel to be displayed at other Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU locations, including Chalfont, and Harleysville. About Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU Based in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU is a non-profit financial institution offering a full line of financial services and products. MSDFCU serves approximately 29,450 members through its six branches located throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.msdfcu.org. About Rolling Thunder Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a class 501(c) (4) non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action (POW/MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.” The ceremony was attended by members of Merck’s Veterans Employee Business Resource Group, including Dawn Fitzgerald, Merck’s Chapter lead (center); Patrice Kreidler, MSDFCU VP Operations (front row left); David B. Whitehead, MSDFCU CEO (front row right).
Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union unveiled a POW/MIA National Chair of Honor on Friday, November 9, 2018. A dedication ceremony was held inside the Credit Union’s West Point branch, it was attended by Merck veterans and employees, as well as Credit Union members and employees.
The National Chair of Honor is an empty chair cordoned off by a velvet rope and flanked by the American and POW/MIA flags. The chairs inscription declares “You Are Not Forgotten. Since World war II more than 82,000 soldiers are unaccounted for.” The unoccupied seat is a visual reminder of the sacrifices made by those serving this country.
The dedication ceremony began with a few words from Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU CEO, Dave Whitehead, who spoke about what this remembrance meant to him personally and to the families of those affected by the loss of military veterans. After the unveiling, Dawn Fitzgerald, Merck’s Chapter lead for the West Point Veterans Employee Business Resource Group (BRG) and former military veteran, spoke about the sacrifices made by veterans’ service to this country. Mr. Patrick J. Hughes, a Rolling Thunder Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, who brought the National Chair of Honor program to the Credit Union’s attention, emphasized the importance of remembering and that each veteran has earned the right to come home.
Also presented were donations of food items collected by all Credit Union branch members to be included in holiday care packages being sent to current military personnel overseas.
MSDFCU is honored to be the first credit union in the U.S. to install “One Empty Seat” the POW/MIA National Chair of Honor. The chair was previously displayed in both the Lansdale and Collegeville branches and will travel to be displayed at other Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU locations, including Chalfont, and Harleysville.
About Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU Based in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU is a non-profit financial institution offering a full line of financial services and products. MSDFCU serves approximately 29,450 members through its six branches located throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.msdfcu.org.
About Rolling Thunder
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a class 501(c) (4) non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action (POW/MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
The ceremony was attended by members of Merck’s Veterans Employee Business Resource Group, including Dawn Fitzgerald, Merck’s Chapter lead (center); Patrice Kreidler, MSDFCU VP Operations (front row left); David B. Whitehead, MSDFCU CEO (front row right).