BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

An empty chair was placed in the showroom at Tilley Harley-Davidson to serve as a reminder of American prisoners of war and those missing in action from wars.

The local Rolling Thunder Chapter held a ceremony and placed the chair at the Statesville dealership on Sunday.

“This empty chair is in place for those who are not with us today, but we’ll never forget them,” said Mike Morris, president of Rolling Thunder Chapter NC 2. “This seat will remain empty until all our POWs and MIAs are accounted for.”

The ceremony was the first of its kind held by the local Rolling Thunder Chapter.

During the event, Morris and chapter Vice President Johnny Etheridge carried the chair to its spot near the reception area at Tilley’s. The group hopes to install a similar memorial at the Iredell County Hall of Justice as soon as arrangements can be made.

Rolling Thunder chapters across the country have conducted similar MIA/POW ceremonies. The local chapter decided there needed to be one in Statesville as well.

“Let this empty chair remind us of the importance of accountability and the need to continue our efforts to bring our missing service members home. As we look upon this empty chair, do not remember ghosts from the past, remember our comrades, remember those we depended on in battle,” he said.

As members of Rolling Thunder Chapter NC 2 gathered around the chair, Morris and Etheridge gave a salute in honor of MIAs and POWs.