DPAA regularly meets families of missing soldiers to provide support
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Defence Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) team routinely visits families of missing US Department of Defense (DoD) personnel to convey developments in their cases and provide psychological support in facing their sorrow.
DPAA Director Kelly McKeague, in a press conference attended virtually in Jakarta on Wednesday, stated that the agency had gathered around 400 families last week to deliver the latest information regarding the disappearance of their relatives, and most importantly, to offer support.
“What we are trying to do is hold meetings where we bring these families together to give them information about their cases,” said Kelly McKeague in response to an ANTARA question.
According to him, what worsens the sadness is the fact that there is no certainty regarding the cases of their missing family members.
He said the meeting served as a forum for the families to meet fellow unit members or relatives who also lost family members in the same battles.
“So, there is an opportunity to connect not only with us and them, but also among themselves; which again is an interesting dynamic that provides comfort and solace 80 years later,” McKeague stated.
The joint Indonesian-US investigation team interviewed 25 people, conducted more than 10 archaeological surveys, and gathered valuable information that could help locate missing US armed forces members.
In Morotai, the team researched historical evidence, performed field surveys, and involved local residents to identify potential recovery locations.
The investigation mission is part of DPAA’s global efforts to locate and identify the remains of missing US armed forces members.
DPAA conducts missions worldwide with the support of host countries and local communities to fulfil its mission of providing the fullest possible accounting of missing US armed forces members.
DPAA is an agency under the US DoD with the mission to recover and identify members whose whereabouts are unknown and who are listed as prisoners of war or missing in action from past conflicts in various countries around the world.