LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Every day, members of Team Langley continue their dedication to integrity, service and excellence, working diligently to preserve and protect freedom. However, that freedom comes with a price -- a price paid by our nation's prisoners of war and missing in action.
Team Langley honored those brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in a series of ceremonies and events Sept. 16 and 17, paying respect to those who made, and continue to make, the ultimate sacrifice.
The tribute, organized by the Air Force Sergeant's Association's Chapter 358, began Sept. 16 as the first of more than 350 runners took off from the Shellbank Fitness Center on a 24-hour flag run.
Chief Master Sgt. Martin Klukas, Air Combat Command command chief, lead the charge, carrying the signature black and white POW/MIA flag in the first group of four runners. Participants ran a minimum of 15 minute intervals around the base running trail, handing off the flag at each water station along the way.
Klukas said the run provided "a solemn reminder that freedom isn't free."
"We sometimes get caught up in our day-to-day and take that freedom for granted," he said. "This run symbolizes a very, very small taste of the sacrifices our POWs and MIAs have made. To say that we're capturing some of their pain is perhaps the world's greatest understatement."
Participants carried the flag around Langley through the night, arriving at the POW/MIA Memorial, nestled along Nealy Ave., in time to begin the 633d Air Base Wing POW/MIA recognition ceremony, scheduled on the federally-recognized National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Following a stirring convocation from 633 ABW Chaplain (Capt.) Michael McDonald, former POWs and their families joined members of Team Langley in applause as Tech. Sgt. Elroy Williams, Headquarters Air Combat Command protocol, finished the run and delivered the flag to James Ashley, also a former POW, who then joined Base Honor Guard Airmen in raising the iconic flag.
Col. Matt Molloy, 1st Fighter Wing commander and the event's guest speaker, called the event "bittersweet," reflecting on the sacrifices of POWs and MIAs and the joy shared when these service members come home. He also acknowledged Hampton Roads-native Air Force MIAs whose remains have yet to be recovered.
"We remember the countless names and faces, the sons and daughters of America who bravely carried our nation's emblem and colors into harm's way in defense of the very freedoms we enjoy today," Molloy said.
After his remarks, Molloy accompanied Sonja Dillaman, daughter of World War II POW John Langley James, to lay a ceremonial wreath at the memorial.
Tech. Sgt. Beverly Lutz, AFSA Chapter 358 president and event organizer, said she was "overwhelmed with emotion" during the planning and execution of the memorial events.
"It was an honor to be part of something so memorable and meaningful," she said. "I feel truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful event honoring those who sacrificed so much."
"I would do this again a thousand times over," Lutz added. "I wish there were more we could do to give back to those who gave so much."
Molloy echoed Lutz's sentiment, affirming the significance of our captured and missing service members and vowing to never forget their service, suffering and sacrifice.
"You are an inspiration to us all. You highlight what this day is all about," said Molloy of the nation's POWs and MIAs. "You may be lost. You may have been taken from us. But, you are not forgotten."