Upper Darby Air Force Capt. celebrates anniversary of release from POW camp in Vietnam

Every year, U.S Air Force Capt. Ralph Galati of Upper Darby observes the anniversary of a miracle: His release from 406 days as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The day is a mix of gratitude for his return, grief for those who remain missing in action, and sorrow for the families still grieving their absent loved ones.

On March 28, the 46th anniversary of his homecoming, Galati (above, left) commemorated the day by helping Ed Tufaro, Rothman Institute’s senior vice president of operations, unveil a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at Rothman’s Bryn Mawr office. The chair is dedicated to the memory of U.S. Navy Lt. Junior Grade Edward Leon Romig, whose plane was lost over the waters of South Vietnam on June 17, 1966. His remains were never recovered.

Memorial chairs, which can be found in public spaces throughout the country, remain empty, cordoned off from use by velvet ropes, and include a memorial plaque and the American and POW/MIA flags. The plaque at Bryn Mawr reads, “You are not forgotten. Since World War II, more than 82,000 American soldiers are unaccounted for. This unoccupied seat is dedicated to the memory of those brave men and women and to the sacrifice each made in serving our country.”

Rothman plans to install a POW/MIA chair in each of its 34 offices. The Bryn Mawr installation was its third.