Soldiers missing in action or held captive during war are always on the mind of A.J. Perrone.

As the Southeast Region vice president of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, Perrone wants to make sure the POW/MIA are also on the mind of the community. The memorial at Patriot Park — on Fort Campbell Boulevard between Gates 2 and 3 — is the focal point of those efforts.

"This flag is always flown at half-staff so we can remember all the POW/MIAs," Perrone said as he lifted his eyes toward the barbed wire "globe" at the top of the park flag pole. "The top of the world is made of barbed wire because they're being held across the world," he said.

Perrone said he feels an obligation to his fellow servicemembers to remain adamant about bringing everyone home. He said troops who serve in war always lose a "brother." On May 21, 1971, while serving as an infantryman in Vietnam, Perrone lost 50 fellow soldiers during a single attack. It was his birthday.

The Patriot Park memorial is maintained by the Vietnam Vets, Legacy Vets and 2nd Brigade motorcycle clubs. In August 2005, the POW/MIA 2 1/2-ton wall that Perrone built was dedicated at the site.

The newest addition is the "Soldier Mom" that stands across from the wall. The concrete statue depicts today's woman soldier cradling her child as she's ready to head off to war.

"It's dedicated to all the females in the military," Perrone said. "There's nothing in the city to honor female soldiers — now we have something."

Patrick Lybarger and John Ericson help maintain the site and hope more people will stop by to pay their respects.

"This is one way to make the public aware," said Ericson, who is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and will soon deploy again to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division.

Lybarger, also a Vietnam veteran, believes recognition of those still under enemy persecution or missing in action should never be forgotten.

"It's important because there's a price of life for freedom," he said.

Perrone is urging people to contact their legislators to pass HR 111, which is a bill to allow the formation of a congressional subcommittee to follow POW/MIA affairs.

"I'd like to see everybody call up and support it," Perrone said.