You watched as we disengaged from Vietnam and many of our prisoners of war returned for an emotional homecoming. Youve seen task forces and committees hold hearings and issue reports that attempted to foreclose hope. But as the tragic flow of refugees from Indochina began a few years ago. those columns of humanity who had suffered hunger and thirst and disease and piracy. brought with them firsthand. "live sighting" reports of American prisoners held captive after 1973. As this information was investigated. respected figures in the intelligence community reached personal conclusions that these reports were credible. even though the circumstance of the sightings prevented confirmation. But with these refugees and the news they brought. another tragedy was unfolding here at home. You. the families of our missing men. were trying to be heard. and yet. you were sometimes unfairly and cruelly branded as emotionally distraught groups that ignored reality and simply hoped against hope. Government and public attention began to wane.
Identified stereotypes
Families of missing men are branded as emotionally distraught groups that ignored reality and simply hoped against hope.