Senators Introduce Legislation to Name Arboretum for POW Advocate

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWSPLEX) -- An outdoor arboretum at Richmond's McGuire VA Medical Center may get a new name, honoring a woman who spent years advocating for prisoners of war.

Phyllis Galanti died in April 2014, and now U.S. Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and John McCain want to honor her.

Warner said, "Phyllis Galanti's story is a tremendous testament to what is possible through unselfish service to others. It is our hope that permanently honoring Phyllis Galanti in this way will allow us to continue sharing her story of perseverance and patriotism for years to come. Her role in fighting on behalf of all of our POWs and MIAs reminds us that our military families also sacrifice for our country."

Galanti's husband, Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Paul Galanti, was shot down over North Vietnam in 1966 and spent almost 2,500 days in a Vietnamese POW camp.

She advocated for the humane treatment and release of American POWs, including serving as the national chairman of the National League of Families and Friends of POWs and MIAs in Southeastern Asia.

Kaine said, "Phyllis Galanti dedicated her life to ensuring the humane treatment and safe return of U.S. prisoners of war and hostages from around the world. Designating such a beautiful space in her name, one that will be enjoyed by generations of servicemembers and their families to come, is a fitting tribute to her decades of service to Virginia and our country."

The three senators introduced legislation to name the existing arboretum the Phyllis Galanti Memorial Arboretum.

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