Family of Central Oregon veteran, MIA until remains were recovered 70 years later, to attend Hwy. 26 sign dedication

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- At 18 years old, US Army Corporal and Central Oregonian Norvin Brockett was declared missing in action in North Korea in 1950 during the Korean War. His remains were recovered and identified almost 70 years later and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on July 21, 2021.

This Friday, another honor will be bestowed, with his name emblazoned on a new Fallen Hero Memorial Highway sign to be dedicated and installed along U.S. Highway 26 east of Prineville

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) issued the attached 10/29/2019 report on the recovery and identification of CPL Brockett's remains.

CPL. Brockett was raised in Powell Butte and attended Crook County High School before entering the Army from Bend.

Dick Tobiason of the Bend Heroes Foundation said they will dedicate the Norvin Dale Brockett Fallen Hero Memorial Highway sign at the Ochoco Creek Park in Prineville beginning at noon Friday, June 14, which is Flag Day and the US Army's 249th birthday. The extended Brockett family will participate, having been escorted from Redmond VFW Post 4108 to Prineville by the High Desert Eagles Chapter, Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association.

The Oregon law authorizing the Brockett sign will be presented to the family by state Representative Rick Lewis.

ODOT will install the sign on US Highway 26 - also known as the POW/MIA Memorial Highway, near the ODOT weight scales just east of Prineville city limits immediately after the ceremony at the Ochoco Creek Park. The Brockett and POW/MIA Memorial Highway signs can be viewed from the weigh scale.

Ceremony participants include: the Norvin D. Brockett family, Oregon Representatives Rick Lewis and Vikki Breese-Iverson, Oregon Senator Lynn Findley, Crook County Commissioner Susan Hermreck, Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe, Crook County High School Navy JROTC Cadets, Crook County High School Principal Jacob Huffman, Prineville Band of Brothers Chapter, Bend Heroes Foundation, Project Recover, High Desert Eagles, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Crook County Parks and Recreation.

While the remains of only 44 MIA veterans from Oregon, including CPL Brockett have been recovered. identified, and returned to families over the last 41 years, another 973 Oregon Veterans still remain Missing in Action. The successful recent recovery of CPL Brockett's remains provides hope for more recoveries and returns to MIA families, Tobiason said.