PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick Encourages Missourians to Help Return Unclaimed Military Medals
Jefferson City, MO - Missouri State Treasurer Scott
Fitzpatrick today encouraged Missourians to search the Unclaimed Property
database for unclaimed military medals and insignia. “As Veterans Day approaches, I
want to remind Missourians of the over 200 military medals and insignia
currently being held by the Unclaimed Property Division,” Fitzpatrick said. “My
Office will never sell or destroy these medals--but we do want to return them.
Our effort to raise awareness this month about these medals reflects our
commitment to returning them to the heroes who earned them. As always, we thank
America’s military veterans for their service to this great country.” Throughout November, and onward,
locations across Missouri will display banners in welcome centers and lobbies
encouraging visitors to search the Unclaimed Property database. Books with
pictures of the medals and details about owners will also be located in these
venues. Participating locations include the National WWI Museum and Memorial in
Kansas City, the Missouri State Museum as well as the Museum of Missouri Military
History in Jefferson City, and all seven Missouri veterans homes, including the
largest in St. Louis. The Office will also participate in Veterans Day events
at Soldiers’ Memorial in St. Louis. “The Veterans Commission is
pleased to partner with the Treasurer’s Office in this endeavor,” Col. Grace
Link, Executive Director, Missouri Veterans Commission, said. “The veterans who
earned these medals through heroic acts of bravery and service should know that
they are out there. I join the Treasurer's Office in encouraging Missourians to
search the list to see if you recognize a name.” “The National WWI Museum and
Memorial is dedicated to informing the public about the courage, patriotism,
sacrifice and honor of all who served in WWI,” Dr. Matthew Naylor, President
and CEO, National WWI Museum and Memorial, said. “Visitors should be reminded
to search the unclaimed property database for lost and missing medals so that
they can be returned to those who earned them.” “Our museum would not be
possible without the contributions of Missouri’s dedicated men and women in the
armed services,” Charles D. Machon, Director, Museum of Missouri Military
History. “We support the Treasurer’s Office efforts to return these medals—and
hope Missourians will search the list and help get them to their rightful
owners.” Each year financial
institutions, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations turn
over millions of dollars in cash and the contents of safe deposit boxes to the
Treasurer's Office. These entities are required to turn over Unclaimed Property
to the Treasurer's Office after there has been no contact or documented
transaction with the owner for five years. The contents of safe deposit boxes
often contain family heirlooms and keepsakes. Some of the most precious items
recovered are military medals and insignia. A full list of medals, names,
and last known addresses of the safe deposit box owners can be found at ShowMeMoney.com/medals
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