POW/MIA Recognition Day honored at County Center ceremony

Laurens “Dutch” Vellekoop made it home safely. Many others did not.

Vellekoop, a prisoner of war for 130 days shortly after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, was the featured speaker at a POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony hosted Friday at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol.

During his time as a POW, Vellekoop recalls, he was subject to daily death threats, political threats, loss of free movement, and attempts to charge him as a spy. He was housed in a 6-by-10-foot supply closet.

“The daily physical and psychological hardships, poor living conditions, poor diet, were a daily occurrence for my 130 days in captivity, which has had a lasting effect on me,” said Vellekoop, a civilian employee at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait at the time of his capture.

In the months and years following his release, Vellekoop struggled to adjust back to life with his young family. But, he said, the help of the Veterans Administration and the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office were invaluable in helping him to turn his life back around.

“This event today is a representation of the continued support that is still provided to all veterans, prisoners of war, and those still missing in action,” Vellekoop said.

Local veteran Steve Tindall organized the Friday ceremony, which was hosted by American Legion Post 361 of Wilmot.

County Executive Samantha Kerkman welcomed attendees to the event, noting, “It’s so important that we not forget this day.”

“All gave some, some gave all,” Kerkman added.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Kenosha County Veterans Service Officer Robert Swanson and his Racine County counterpart, Shawn Rivers.

Tindall — who has worked with Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 Wisconsin to place POW/MIA Honor Chairs on permanent display at the County Center, the Kenosha County Administration Building and Simmons Field — encouraged people to take time to reflect on the day.

“It’s important for us to remember our POWs and Missing in Action, and even more importantly, their families that they’ve left behind who have suffered along with their capture,” Tindall said. “As you go about your day today, keep that in mind. … And never forget.”

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