Modern-day renaissance man highlights POW/MIA ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
  • 4th Fighter WIng Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Fourth Fighter Wing Airmen will honor American prisoners of war and missing-in-action servicemembers in a special ceremony at Heritage Park here Sept. 19 at 4 p.m.

The ceremony coincides with National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

"POW/MIA Recognition Day is a moment in time for us to remember, honor and reflect on the sacrifices of all of our gallant heroes who are still missing or who suffered the pains of captivity," said Dr. Roy Heidicker, 4th Fighter Wing historian.

During World War II, the wing had its share of Airmen who spent time as prisoners to the Nazis.

"Their stories of heroism and sacrifice are part of our heritage," Dr. Heidicker said. "We honor them always, but we should remember them and all our POW/MIA heroes on this special day."

In addition to the ceremony, base volunteers will begin a 12-hour vigil at 4 a.m. to honor former POWs or missing-in-action servicemembers.

"I feel like POWs have given up so much," said Tech. Sgt. Denise Spaulding of the wing's legal office, who will participate in the vigil. "In comparison, it's nothing for me to give up part of my day to pay respect to their sacrifices and to honor them."

Guest speaker Frederick Kiley will highlight the 45-minute ceremony. Mr. Kiley, an Air Force veteran of 31 years, is considered a leading authority on American POWs. He co-authored Honor Bound, a book that chronicled the experiences of American POWs in Southeast Asia from 1961 to 1973.

To gain a deeper understanding of the POW experience, Mr. Kiley is reported to have voluntarily undergone torture methods used on American servicemembers in Vietnam.

Though his expertise on POWs suits the ceremony's focus, Mr. Kiley is also considered a modern-day renaissance man. Besides Honor Bound, he has authored A Catch-22 Casebook and Satire from Aesop to Buchwald. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver. He served as the director of the National Defense University Press from 1983 to 1997. He is also a notable baseball player, runner and musician. Mr. Kiley now teaches English at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

According to the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, 1,752 Americans are still listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.