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Base remembers POW/MIAs during ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Under the wing of a C123-K Provider and the American and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags waving in the morning light, Air Commandos, civilians and their family members paid their respects to fellow Airmen who were held as prisoners of war or are missing in action during a remembrance ceremony at the Airpark at Hurlburt Field, Sept. 17.

The base held the event along with other military installations, schools and veteran's halls across the country in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

"Today we honor our nation's heroes who, in the course of their service, were held as prisoners of war, suffering great deprivation and even physical torture during their captivity," said Col. Michael Plehn, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. "And we also honor the sacrifice and memory of those who have not yet returned from their service; our nation's warriors who still are missing in action. For them we hold forth a candle, still lit with the flame of hope for their return."

Event narrators Staff Sergeants Ken Angel, executive assistant to the 1st SOW command chief, and Brandy Lockhart, 1st SOW NCO in charge of protocol, read the names of military personnel whose remains have been identified and returned to their families since last year's remembrance Sept. 18, 2009.

The ceremony concluded with the Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Wing Honor Guard laying a wreath at the Airpark's Missing in Action memorial. As Taps was played, all service members stood and saluted while civilians placed their right hands over their hearts.

"Our nation is dedicated to a full accounting of all our MIAs," Colonel Plehn said. "So, as we honor our POW/MIAs on this day, let us re-dedicate ourselves to the selfless service of our nation to the values of integrity, excellence and courage that have sustained so many of our nation's heroes in their times of direst need."

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs website, Congress designated the third Friday of September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day in 1998. For more information about National POW/MIA Recognition Day, visit the VA's website at www.va.gov.