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Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union unveiled a POW/MIA National Chair of Honor on Friday, May 10, 2019. A dedication ceremony was held at the Credit Union’s Harleysville branch, it was attended by veterans and their families, Merck 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 who have not returned home. 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. Following were speeches from Senator Bob Mensch, Andrew Wenkle with Merck & Co., and Tozia Roming and her daughter Heather Evers who are the family of a missing war hero. After the unveiling, 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 each veteran has earned the right to come home. 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 Lansdale, Collegeville and at Merck’s West Point branch. The chair will be displayed in Harleysville for several months after which it will travel to other Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU location. 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.” (left); Andrew Wenkle with Merck & Co., an MIA Veteran’s Family, Tozia Roming, Heather Evers, David B. Whitehead, MSDFCU CEO and D. DiPillo, Marketing VP.
Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union unveiled a POW/MIA National Chair of Honor on Friday, May 10, 2019. A dedication ceremony was held at the Credit Union’s Harleysville branch, it was attended by veterans and their families, Merck 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 who have not returned home.
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. Following were speeches from Senator Bob Mensch, Andrew Wenkle with Merck & Co., and Tozia Roming and her daughter Heather Evers who are the family of a missing war hero. After the unveiling, 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 each veteran has earned the right to come home.
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 Lansdale, Collegeville and at Merck’s West Point branch. The chair will be displayed in Harleysville for several months after which it will travel to other Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU location.
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.”
(left); Andrew Wenkle with Merck & Co., an MIA Veteran’s Family, Tozia Roming, Heather Evers, David B. Whitehead, MSDFCU CEO and D. DiPillo, Marketing VP.