National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Senior Airman Forrest George, 4th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, and Airman Joshua Middleton, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, stands vigil at Heritage Park in honor of National Prisoner of War – Missing in Action Recognition Day on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Sept. 18, 2009. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday of September to honor the sacrifices made by prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Whitney Lambert)

POW/MIA ceremony recognizes those who lost their freedom

Published Sept. 16, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Fighter Wing will acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action in a ceremony Sept. 18.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors brave warriors who endured the horrors of being held captive by enemies of the United States.

"The focus of this ceremony is twofold," said Col. Patrick Doherty, 4th FW vice commander. "First and most importantly, it is an opportunity to honor and pay respect to our brothers in arms and their families for their sacrifices to our thankful nation. It is also a time for today's warriors to reflect on those same articles within the Code of Conduct previous generations upheld with honor, understanding how they will help us return with that same honor and distinction, should any of us become a POW."

Though the ceremony begins at 4 p.m., Airmen will stand vigil in front of a POW/MIA wreath at Heritage Park starting in the early morning hours.

"This is a special way to acknowledge the sacrifice endured by our POWs," said Tech. Sgt. James Lucas, 4th FW Protocol noncommissioned officer in charge. "This is also symbolic to show we will never forget those who may be left behind."

During the ceremony, retired Brig. Gen. Norman Gaddis will speak of his experience as a POW in North Vietnam from 1967-1973.

"Their special sacrifice can never be fully understood or appreciated by the American public," Sergeant Lucas said. "In a land of freedom, nothing is worse than losing your freedom. These brave warriors lost their freedom to allow us to keep ours."