Humbert “Rocky” Versace, shown in an undated photo taken in Southeast Asia, remains missing in action from the Vietnam War.
Alexandria’s Medal of Honor recipient Humbert “Rocky” Versace will be among the Vietnam veterans honored by the Virginia War Memorial as part of the opening of a new exhibit “Virginia’s MIA: The Search Continues” Sept. 19 in Richmond.
Taking place on National POW/MIA Day, the new exhibit features the names and stories of Virginia’s still missing in action and the ongoing efforts to bring them home. Versace is one of seven Alexandria servicemembers who remain missing in action from the Vietnam War.
“The Friends of Rocky Versace were invited to participate in the ribbon cutting at the new exhibit,” said Kevin Rue, a spokesperson for the organization who will participate in the ceremony.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is an annual observance held on the third Friday in September to honor and remember those American service members who were Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action. More than 81,000 Americans are still listed as Missing in Action from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts. Of these, nearly 1,300 Virginians are still MIA.
The Virginia War Memorial will host the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be followed with the ribbon cutting and public opening of the new exhibit.
Dedicated in 1956, the Virginia War Memorial includes the names of the nearly 12,000 Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the Global War on Terrorism.
Admission to the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony is free and open to the public. It will also be livestreamed at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/36827
The Virginia War Memorial is located at 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Va., 23220. www.vawarmemorial.org.