LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Eighty three thousand.
That is how many U.S. Service members were taken as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action in conflicts around the world since World War II.
The Joint Base Langley-Eustis community honored those brave warriors during the installation's fourth annual POW/MIA remembrance ceremony at Langley Air Force Base Sept. 19 and 20.
Beginning Sept. 19 at 10 a.m., the Air Force Sergeant's Association Chapter 358 kicked off the events with a 24-hour POW/MIA Flag Run-Relay. More than 200 runners formed into teams to carry the POW/MIA flag around Langley's running trail continuously for 24 hours, passing it from team to team at one-hour intervals.
"Reflecting on what others have sacrificed makes every step of the run or walk worth it and the next step that much easier," said U.S Air Force Master Sgt. Rachel Singletary, 633rd Surgical Operations Squadron radiology flight chief, about participating in the run. "If members show up at least once, I guarantee they come back every year to show their respect for all POWs/MIAs in some way. It is a small way to say thank you."
The run concluded Sept. 20 with the final flag relay team making their way to the POW/MIA memorial and presenting the flag to Master Sgt. Jeffrey Koenig, 633rd Air Base Wing Protocol superintendent, and the Langley Air Force Base Honor Guard. Upon receiving the iconic black and white flag, Koenig and the Honor Guard raised the flag to begin the remembrance ceremony.
The ceremony's honored guests included former POWs such as retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Alcide Benini, a World War II POW, retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Fenton, a Korean War POW, and guest speaker retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, an Operation Desert Storm POW.
Cornum spoke about her experiences as a POW and her mindset during her captivity, emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional preparation as a key to survival not only as a POW, but in life. She said she learned to turn disadvantages into advantages while detained by Iraqi forces.
Following Cornum's speech, Benini joined Col. John Allen, 633rd ABW commander, in laying a ceremonial wreath on the memorial, representing the nation's continued commitment to remembering POWs and those MIA.
"Upon entering the military, we voluntarily took an oath. We made a personal commitment to our country to protect and defend our American freedoms, to live by a set of military rules and standards agreed upon, to defend our great nation and principles. Our honored guests exemplified this commitment," said Staff Sgt. Victor Cruz, Air Combat Command installation and mission support, non commissioned officer in charge of executive assistance. "You strengthen our resolve to account for all still missing, and remind us to remember those who could not be with us today. You are true heroes."
For more information about the nation's POW and MIAs, visit the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo.