Former Gulf War prisoner recounts 130 days in captivity at Kenosha ceremony

A Gulf War-era former prisoner of war spoke at the Kenosha County Center remembrance event about his capture, detention and the long-term effects on his life and family.

The speaker said he was captured during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and spent 130 days in captivity. He described being housed "in a 6 by 10 foot supply closet," subject to constant surveillance, threats and propaganda use. He recounted that released prisoners were flown first to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany and then to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where families awaited them. "When we were airborne, waiting for us were McDonald's lunch bags. This is when we knew we were on our way home," he said.

He credited the Veterans Administration, the Kenosha County veteran service office and veterans service organizations with providing essential support for his recovery while noting the capture and confinement had a lasting personal and familial cost. The speaker identified himself in the transcript using the phrase "My name is, Lowlands Dutch Falco" and described his experience as a prisoner during the 1990-91 Gulf War.