DPAA to Make History with Record-Breaking Briefing for Over 500 Families of Missing Service Members
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is set to make history this weekend by hosting a record-breaking briefing for over 500 family members of missing service members in Dallas. The event, which will feature case summary updates and general briefings, aims to educate families on the government’s efforts to find their loved ones who went missing in previous wars.
“The surge in attendance can be attributed to several factors, including increased efforts to find missing World War II service members, the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, and families,” said DPAA Director Kelly McKeague. “It is a testament to our families’ unwavering commitment to ensure that their loved ones are not forgotten.”
This event will provide an excellent opportunity for media members to learn about the latest technology being used to solve decades-old mysteries surrounding the disappearance of American service members. In addition, the DPAA will be partnering with the Armed Forces Medical Examiners Services to collect DNA swabs from family members for future use.
Texas has a staggering 4,124 missing in action service members, with 194 accounted for by the agency. The DPAA is composed of a team of 725 government civilians, contractors, and military members dedicated to investigating, recovering, identifying, and returning Americans who went missing during previous military conflicts.
Media members are invited to attend the event and interview subject matter experts and family members. The briefing represents an excellent opportunity to learn more about the DPAA’s work and the ongoing efforts to bring closure to the families of missing service members.
Media interested in attending should reach out to dpaa.ncr.oc.mbx.public-affairs@mail.mil no later no than Friday March 24th at Noon. Please note, all efforts to find family members willing to be interviewed will be made if requested but cannot be guaranteed.
The briefs, are open to media, can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa or the agency’s livestream page https://www.dpaa.mil/Livestreams/
For additional information on the DPAA’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving the nation, visit the DPAA web site at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.