On March 27, 2003, the POW group officially established the American POW/MIA Foundation. The POWs have committed to donate a substantial portion of any punitive damage award in this case to the Foundation. If they remain unable to recover the damages awarded by the court, this substantial funding would not be available to the Foundation. However, even without the recovery of the judgment, the POWs have pledged money from their own pockets toward the Foundation. In addition, many of the POWs and their family members have pledged their time in the hope that others can benefit from their experiences.
The purpose of the Foundation is to provide assistance to POWs/MIAs of the United States and its allies and their families in dealing with the ongoing physical, psychological and other adverse effects arising from their experiences, and to work for worldwide compliance with all international laws, regulations, conventions and standards that govern the treatment of POWs.
When the group submitted the evidence to the court in March 2003, each made a statement about the Foundation and its meaning to them. Included here are some excerpts:
- "I feel that each of us can do a little to help in our own way, but as a group, with the proper organization, vision statement, and financial resources, we can aid others who have walked or will walk the same road as us. We understand their sacrifices, we understand what they may be going through, and we understand why their husbands or wives chose to do what they did and now it us up to us to not let their sacrifice be in vain.”
- "As we approach the possibility of war with Iraq, I worry greatly for our servicemen and women and their families, and I hope that no one will have to go through the experiences that [my husband] and I did. However, if that comes to pass, I hope that I can be of help, in some way. During [my husband’s] captivity, as I researched how to best help him and the others, I had the opportunity to meet several POWs from other wars. They were the best advisors of all, and their courage and that of their families was remarkable. Sadly, I learned that a common thread among POW/MIA families has been a feeling of helplessness and also frustration about lack of information on their loved ones’ status. In addition, they and most military families today are not adequately prepared should their loved ones become a POW or MIA or be involved in another high visibility crisis. I witnessed this first hand; not only among the Gulf War POW/MIA wives, but when I have been invited to speak to today’s military families. I am eager to do whatever possible to help military families avoid the frustration and heartache I endured while my husband was missing and captured. If I had known then what I know now, my suffering would have been less severe. I would find it very rewarding to help prepare military members and their families for crisis by sharing the lessons that I learned the hard way. Establishing a foundation for POWs/MIAs and their families would be an ideal way to help accomplish this goal."
- "The hope of helping others, in part through the Foundation, is what motivated me to join the suit. I hope and pray that not another American or any other person has to endure what we went through, but since I see that we may be going to war with Iraq again, I know that won’t be the case."
- "I would hope to see it used to increase international awareness of the historical treatment of prisoners of war, how violations of the Geneva Conventions have affected both the POWs and their families, and to establish a scholarship fund for the children and families of POWs. The other area I would like to see the Foundation address is enforcement efforts, on an international level, of the Geneva Conventions concerning POWs with the goal of serious deterrence of torture and other mistreatment of POWs using a blend of legal, financial, punitive and other such penalties as are appropriate."
- "I believe that this lawsuit would greatly enhance the ability of our country and the world to prevent rogue countries from disregarding the Geneva convention and its articles in reference to the treatment of any future POWs. Injured POWs must receive prompt medical attention, and must be treated humanely, not threatened, abused, and left to die. I truly think that this process, if successful, will make countries take a hard look at how they should treat POWs, and I feel this would greatly deter them from torturing prisoners. I also feel that a foundation to help POWs, and their families, is an exceptional idea. This Foundation would be a great help to any in the future who need its assistance to get through the difficulties POWs and their families go through. This type of Foundation is long overdue."
- "I feel the Foundation that is being started is an important step in helping future POWs. Being a POW is tough, but what is as tough is being a close relative to a POW or an MIA. I think that anything that could be done to help ease their pain and hardship would be well worth it."