Back Mountain Harvest Assembly holds watch fire, POW/MIA remembrance ceremony

KINGSTON TWP. — The flames of a watch fire on the Back Mountain Harvest Assembly property reached high into the sky on Sept. 16 attracting interest from passing cars.

The fourth annual Watch Fire and POW/MIA ceremony was held Sept. 16 outside the Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church, 340 Carverton Road, Trucksville.

The somber ceremony is held in conjunction with National POW/MIA Recognition Day featured a flag presentation by state Rep. Karen Boback (R-Harveys Lake), Color Guard from Daddow-Isaacs Post No. 672 Dallas American Legion Riding Club, comments from Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Pastor Ray Petts and a U.S. Army Chaplin.

Lackawanna County Judge Thomas Munley, who served in the U.S. Army’s 11th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam, was the keynote speaker.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the ex-POWs who have returned home, the current and unknown POWs (Prisoners of War) and MIAs (service members Missing In Action).

Dave Cuba, Veterans Memorial Ministry Leader, lights the watch fire at the start of the ceremony at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church Friday, Sept. 16.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TDP091616POWMIA1.jpgDave Cuba, Veterans Memorial Ministry Leader, lights the watch fire at the start of the ceremony at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church Friday, Sept. 16. Clark Van Orden | For Dallas Post

Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Pastor Ray Petts gives remarks at the annual POW/MIA Watch Fire ceremony held on the grounds of of the church in Trucksville.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TDP091616POWMIA2.jpgBack Mountain Harvest Assembly Pastor Ray Petts gives remarks at the annual POW/MIA Watch Fire ceremony held on the grounds of of the church in Trucksville. Clark Van Orden | For Dallas Post

Marine Cpl. Curtis Yockey and Sgt. Trevis Carter, both stationed in Wyoming, listen to remarks at the annual POW\MIA Watch Fire ceremony held at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church Friday, Sept. 16.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TDP091616POWMIA3.jpgMarine Cpl. Curtis Yockey and Sgt. Trevis Carter, both stationed in Wyoming, listen to remarks at the annual POW\MIA Watch Fire ceremony held at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church Friday, Sept. 16. Clark Van Orden | For Dallas Post

People gather at the annual POW/MIA Watch Fire and ceremony Friday, Sept. 16 at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church in Trucksville.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TDP091616POWMIA4.jpgPeople gather at the annual POW/MIA Watch Fire and ceremony Friday, Sept. 16 at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church in Trucksville. Clark Van Orden | For Dallas Post

The POW/MIA Watch Fire burns at the annual ceremony Friday, Sept. 16 at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church in Trucksville.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TDP091616POWMIA5.jpgThe POW/MIA Watch Fire burns at the annual ceremony Friday, Sept. 16 at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church in Trucksville. Clark Van Orden | For Dallas Post