TACOMA, Wash. – Some 150 former prisoners of war from Washington State were honored at an annual POW/MIA Remembrance Luncheon on Sept. 19 at McChord Air Force Base in an event sponsored by Harborstone Credit Union. The program, which event sponsors said was the largest gathering of POWs in the nation at similar observances that day, was presented by the Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter 1461. Harborstone is the sole corporate sponsor. The Washington state event attracted more than 450 people, including retired and active military and their families, local business leaders and the public. Col. Robert Allardice, commander of the U.S. Air Force 62nd Airlift Wing, was the keynote speaker. The nationwide event was designed to pay tribute to the POWs and to members of the armed forces missing in action.