Former POW Capt. Jim Hickerson to speak

Hickerson
LAHAINA — Capt. Jim Hickerson will be the guest speaker and honoree at the Navy League Maui Council’s first annual American Patriot Dinner in Lahaina on Sunday, July 31.
The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lahaina Yacht Club.
In 1967, as a Navy lieutenant commander, Hickerson was on an air mission when his aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile. He was forced to eject.
He spent nearly six years as a prisoner of war, tortured and deprived by his North Vietnamese captors.
Upon returning home, he continued his naval career until retiring with 30 years of dedicated service.
After completing a highly successful second career as a businessman, Hickerson serves as a volunteer.
According to the Navy League Maui Council, “Whether he is a deacon at First Presbyterian Church, a leader in the Navy League and AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association) or speaking to groups like ours, he continues to serve our country and island chain with dignity and honor.”
Tickets are $20 for the event, which will feature a light buffet dinner and no-host bar. Reservations are requested by July 29 by calling Robyn Downer, president of the U.S. Navy League Maui Council, at 667-2712.
The U.S. Navy League is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating citizens about the importance of sea services to U.S. national security, as well as supporting military men, women and their families.
Funds generated by the Maui Council assist in showing aloha spirit to sea service members who anchor off Maui on “R&R” or en-route to fulfill their missions around the world. As the council grows, its goal is to increase recognition for active service personnel.