Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, 
bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend,
oppose any foe, to assure the survival and
the success of liberty....JFK

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MISSING MAN TABLE & HONORS CEREMONY
Courtesy of:
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES

The table is round -- 
to show our everlasting concern for our missing men & women.

The tablecloth is white -- 
symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, 
reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones 
and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, 
symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears 
endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost
 from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning’s/day’s] toast.

The chair is empty -- they are missing.

Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast 
to honor America's POW/MIAs and to the success of our efforts to account for them.


Now you know....

Never forget....

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Name:  Richard Clive Lannom
Rank/Branch:  02/US Navy
Unit:  Attack Squadron 35, USS Enterprise (CVA 65)
Date of Birth:  January 24, 1941
Home City of Record:  Union City, TN
Date of Loss:  March 01, 1968
Country of Loss:  North Vietnam/Over Water
Loss Coordinates:  203800N 1073000E (YH605833)
Status (in 1973):  Missing In Action
Category:  4
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:  A6A
Refno:  1068
Other Personnel In Incident:  Thomas E. Scheurich (missing)
Source:  Compiled by Homecoming II Project April 1, 1990, 
from one or more of the following:  raw data from U.S.

Synopsis: 

The Grumman A6 Intruder flew most of its missions
from the decks of Navy attack carriers 
of the Seventh Fleet.  Their primary missions were close-air-support, 
all-weather and night attacks on enemy troop concentrations and night interdiction.

Seventh Fleet Vice Commander, Admiral William F. Bringle, said, 
"The low-level night missions flown by the A6 over Hanoi 
and Haiphong were among the most demanding missions 
we have ever asked our aircrews to fly.  
Fortunately, there is an abundance of talent, courage and aggressive 
leadership in these A6 squadrons."

LTCDR Thomas Scheurich was the pilot of an A6 on 
just such a mission over Haiphong on March 1, 1968.  He launched 
on that day from the USS Enterprise with his bombardier/navigator (BN), 
LTJG Richard C. Lannom, along with two other A6 aircraft.

The flight proceeded to their target area located approximately 45 miles northeast 
of Haiphong.  The area was defended by medium anti-aircraft artillery,
 automatic weapons and small arms.  The aircraft reported at the execute point, 
5 minutes prior to coast-in point, at which time 
they turned off their IFF transponder.  
Therefore, radar contact was lost on the aircraft. Government agency sources, 
correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.  
Updated by the P.O.W. Network 1998.

Following their attacks, the other two aircraft in the flight proceeded 
to a pre-briefed rendezvous point which was to be used in the event of 
radio failure for battle damage assessment.  Both aircraft 
searched the rendezvous area and attempted radio contact with 
Scheurich and Lannom with negative results.  Search and rescue (SAR) 
forces were alerted.  No emergency beepers were heard 
during the overland flight or during the subsequent electronic search.

Scheurich's and Lannom's aircraft was evidently hit by ground fire 
and went down about 55 miles southeast of Haiphong in the Gulf of Tonkin.  
It was considered that there was little chance that the enemy knew the fate 
of either man, and prospects were rather dim for their survival, 
but both were classified Missing In Action.  There was no proof they died.  
There still was the possibility that they bailed out and were picked up 
in the water by the Vietnamese.

When American involvement ended in Indochina, 
and 591 American prisoners were released, Lannom and Scheurich 
were not among them.  Their families and 
those of nearly 2,500 others still do not know with certainty 
whether they are alive or dead.

Reports continue to be received that Americans are still being held prisoner 
in Southeast Asia.  Whether Lannom and Scheurich could be among them 
is unknown.  It is clear, that it is long past time to bring these men home.

During the period they were maintained missing, Richard C. Lannom 
was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 
and Thomas E. Scheurich was promoted to the rank of Captain.

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