"I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Phyllis Galanti of Richmond who was both a dedicated advocate for our POWs and an American hero herself. Phyllis began her efforts to fight for POW rights when her husband, Lieutenant Commander Paul Galanti, was held captive during the Vietnam War, which turned into a national campaign to bring home nearly 600 POWs and MIAs during the Vietnam War.

Last fall I was honored to join Phyllis at the Virginia War Memorial on National POW/MIA Recognition Day to speak to local school kids about her role as the chairman of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. The students were touched and inspired by the story of Paul and Phyllis and the efforts to bring our POWs home.  

Phyllis’ story reminds us that our military families also serve and sacrifice for our country. I am so grateful that her heroic legacy will live on at the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center at the Virginia War Memorial. 

Phyllis and her husband Paul have been great friends and their optimism, perseverance, and patriotism make me proud as an American and a Virginian."