Remembering the fallen: POW/MIA Remembrance Week

by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing

9/25/2014 - CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada -- Airmen at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, honored the more than 83,000 prisoners of war and missing in action service members during POW/MIA Remembrance Week, Sept. 15-19, 2014.

The remembrance week, sponsored by the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1253 at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, featured a breakfast, patriotic movie night, 5K run, 24-hour vigilance run, and formal retreat ceremony.

"The purpose of POW/MIA Remembrance Week was to take time and remember the sacrifices made by those who were held prisoners of war and some who are still missing in action," said Tech. Sgt. Heather, 867th Reconnaissance Squadron target development analyst and AFSA Chapter 1253 member. "It is extremely important we don't forget those who fought before us and the price that was paid."

During the kick-off breakfast ceremony, retired 2nd Lt. William Whitaker spoke to more than 100 Airmen about his time in the Army Air Corps. During his service in the Army Air Corps in WWII, Whitaker was captured and became a POW.

"Speaking at the events brought back many memories, but it is important for the young Airmen to hear [my story]," said Whitaker.

Whitaker went on to say he joined the AAC with three friends but only he and one other returned from the war. He reflects on the memories that continuously remind him of the toll war has taken on his generation.

During the 5K and vigilance runs, a POW/MIA flag was carried to honor those still unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts. Lead runners carried a POW/MIA flag during the run, which was then passed to and from teams for 24 hours.

Senior Master Sgt. James Robbins, 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron superintendent of operations and president of AFSA Chapter 1253, provided his personal POW/MIA flag to be used during the week's events.

"I have carried that flag since 2000 at every POW/MIA event I have been involved with," Robbins said. "It has great sentimental value to me."

Robbins went on to say that although he has family members in every branch of service, no one in his direct family has ever been a POW or MIA. However, the remembrance week is personal to him because he has friends who have been.

"There's 83,189 personnel still unaccounted for," Robbins said. "That's 83,000 comrades who are unaccounted-for, and I believe that we have a responsibility to remember them until everyone comes home."