American Legion Post 247 • Remington, Virginia

The Empty Chair
Gala

A Night of Remembrance • A Mission of Hope

In Honor of America's POWs & MIAs · You Are Not Forgotten

September 19, 2026 Saturday Evening

The Inn at Kelly's Ford 16589 Edwards Shop Rd, Remington, VA

Black Tie Cocktails & Dinner

Time Starts: 5pm Ends: 10pm

Entertainment The Silver Tones Swing Band

Reserve Your Seat Become a Sponsor

The Empty Chair Ceremony

One Table. One Chair. One Promise.

The empty chair set at every gala table is a living symbol — the missing warrior whose spirit joins us. Each element carries meaning carried across generations of service and sacrifice.

🪑

The Chair

Empty — for those who cannot be present among us

🌹

The Rose

Red — for the blood of those who gave everything

🕯️

The Candle

The eternal flame of hope that they will return

🍋

The Lemon

The bitterness of fate for those captured or missing

🫙

Salt & Tears

The tears of waiting families, still hoping

★ POW ★ MIA ★ "You Are Not Forgotten" — American Legion Post 247

The Mission

A Promise
America Must Keep

Every name on the POW/MIA Wall represents a promise — a promise that America will remember. A promise that families will not be forgotten. A promise that we will continue searching for those still missing.

The Empty Chair Gala brings together community leaders, veterans, and patriots to fund two urgent missions: the construction of the American Legion Post 247 POW/MIA Monument in Remington, Virginia, and the global search and recovery work of Project Recover.

"Until They Are Home, They Are Not Forgotten."

— American Legion Post 247

Join Us September 19th

Chris Perez — Project Recover Recovery Mission

Featured Keynote Speaker

An Evening with
Chris Perez

Chris Perez

Navy Diver · Combat Photojournalist · Co-Owner, Media Evolve

Project Recover Advocate

Chris Perez will share powerful stories from his experiences in combat, underwater recovery missions, and the ongoing effort to bring missing American heroes home. His keynote remarks support Project Recover's mission and America's POW/MIA community — a testimony to the sacrifice and the promise that must not be broken.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Stand With the Unforgotten

Your sponsorship directly funds the POW/MIA Monument and supports Project Recover's global search missions.

Ready to Make Your Impact?

Where Your Support Goes

Two Missions. One Promise.

Every dollar raised advances the sacred commitment to those who served and those still waiting to come home.

🏛️

The Monument

Constructing and maintaining the American Legion Post 247 POW/MIA Monument in Remington, Virginia — a permanent tribute to those who never came home.

🌊

Project Recover

Supporting global expeditions to locate, identify, and repatriate missing American service members — bringing closure to families who have waited decades.

🎖️

Legacy & Education

Educating future generations about the sacrifice of POWs and MIAs, and funding veteran remembrance and community outreach programs across Virginia.

The Empty ChairGala