The Vision
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This National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum is set to pay tribute to more than 140,000 service members. Approximately 95,000 of these heroes were classified as missing in action with only 12,000 of those having come home. It is time those who served, their Families and the nation have a place of honor, tribute and remembrance.
This National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum is designed to connect with visitors on an emotional, intellectual and physical level. The complex connects to individuals, the memorial environment, the country and even the cosmos through a design that makes up the museum structures, surrounding gardens and airspace above. The sun and the seasons have driven locations of structures where the solar activity on National POW/MIA Recognition Day in September creates a palpable experience. The entrance to the complex is serious and somber with references to hope, solitude, captivity. Groves of trees and forests of steel are juxtaposed to create spaces where the natural order of life, the human condition and the plight of freedom is examined, questioned and celebrated.
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GOLD STAR MEMORIAL |
Rolling Thunder® Inc. Florida Chapter 4 is proud to one of many partners
who made this Memorial become a reality.
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What is Gold Star Family? Sadly, it is a Family who has lost a loved one during their service in any branch of the U.S. Military. Gold Star Families have borne the losses and wear a Gold Star or Next of Kin lapel pin with both pride and sorrow. The pins were created to recognize these Families' sacrifices.
To honor these Families, a Gold Star Memorial was placed outside the entrance of the Chapel of the High Speed Pass at POW-MIA Park in Cecil Commerce Center. The Gold Star symbol began during World War I at the start of the American involvement in 1917. Families hung banners with blue stars representing Family members in the services. If the service member died in combat, the Family changed the blue star to gold. After the war, Gold Star mothers banded together. The group incorporated in 1928. This year’s Gold Star Mothers Day is September 28, 2025. |
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CHAPEL
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The Four Chaplains
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The Chapel’s primary mission is to provide for the free exercise of religion for the Northeast Florida Community giving priority to Military service members, Veterans and their Families. It is the headquarters for Rolling Thunder® Inc. Florida Chapter 4 and the location where our monthly meetings are held.
The Chapel's vision is to bring awareness to a Historical Chapel which served thousands of Military personnel and their Families for many years prior to the base’s deactivation. The Chapel will memorialize all who were lost while serving at NAS Cecil Field, honor those still MIA (Missing in Action) and provide moral support for the Families who seek their return. The organization’s objective is to educate the American Public about those who were held against their will, POW (Prisoner of War), and those still MIA (Missing in Action) and Unaccounted For from all branches of the Military. |
the missing man pew
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The Missing Man Pew represents there is always a seat and a place for U.S. Service Personnel Missing in Action or Unaccounted For. We will never forget you and support the efforts of the fullest possible accounting.
“This pew is the most crowded in history, even though no one will ever actually sit there. Everyone who visits our chapel will look over and see someone different occupying the pew, and hopefully it makes them as proud as we are to honor them.
We can never do enough.” |
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OTHER
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Hero's Walk & Freedom Trees
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Hero's Walk
The Vietnam War Memorial, pictured left, was originally dedicated on September 11, 1973 by the Families and service members who wanted to ensure these brave men would NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. The Jet Starburst is at the entrance and along the sidewalk. FREEDOM TREES Trees were planted to honor pilots with engraved markers, as seen right. Mary Hoff, wife of MIA pilot LCDR Michael G. Hoff, was a driving force behind establishing the memorial. With the help of other spouses and Family members, they successfully made the memorial a reality. |
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NAVAL AIRCREWMAN MEMORIAL
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Placed right outside the front door of the Chapel of the High Speed Pass stands the Naval Aircrewman Memorial. It was placed in honor of those Naval Aircrewman who were lost during the various wars and conflicts we have endured over the years. It represents a place of honor where the Families of those lost and missing can visit and know that our nation appreciates and has not forgotten their great sacrifice.
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Plaza of honor bricks
"In Honor of"
Bricks at the Benefactor Plaza
Bricks at the Benefactor Plaza
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Bricks can be purchased “in honor of” or “in remembrance of” a Family member/friend, or can be purchased with the donor’s name. The bricks will be for any and all patriots – those who have or are currently serving in any branch of the U.S. armed forces, those that serve our country in other capacities, and those donors who are enabling us to establish this memorial to honor all our former Prisoners of War and NEVER FORGET those still Missing in Action.
The choice is yours.
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Support
Community support is essential build our dream. The Memorial will be built in stages as funding becomes available. Through the generosity of local and national donors, we are off to a great start. Three memorials have already been built at the POW/MIA Park just outside the front door of The Chapel of the High Speed Pass. With continued support, we can provide a beautiful memorial to those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. Scroll down to learn more about the three memorials currently at the POW/MIA Park.
LOCATION
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The site is located inside Cecil Commerce Center, next to The Chapel of the High Speed Pass at 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32221.
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