In memory of the missing

Master Sgt. Benjamin Ackerman, 4th Contracting Squadron contracting officer, flies a flag from the back of his motorcycle during the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action 5K, Sept. 14, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Ackerman led other motorcyclists and participating Airmen as they navigated their way through base during the 5K run. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

F-15E Strike Eagles perform a missing man flyover during the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action ceremony, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. As four jets flew over the crowd, one separated from the pack, representing the POW/MIAs as the “missing man”. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Dan K. McNeill speaks during the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action ceremony, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. McNeill served in assignments as an Assistant Division Commander, Division Commander, Corps Chief of Staff, Deputy Corps Commander and Corps Commander as a general officer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

Airmen salute the colors during the closing ceremony for Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Remembrance Week, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The ceremony was closed by a recitation of the Loneliest Prayer by Del “Abe” Jones. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

An Airman participating in the 24-hour Prisoners of War/Missing in Action memorial run reads names of the service members, Sept. 16, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The teams of two or more switched between running and reading off the names for an hour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

Airmen rally for a 5K run to kick off Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Remembrance Week, Sept. 14, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Each year, Seymour Johnson AFB dedicates a week of events to recognize our nation’s POW/MIAs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

Motorcyclists supporting the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Remembrance Week lead Airmen as they usher the POW/MIA flag to the ceremony site, Sept. 17, 2015 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The precession began the final event for the week, a ceremony honoring all service members who were lost in action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)

In memory of the missing

Published Sept. 22, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Remembrance Week was held, Sept. 14-17, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, to remind Airmen of those who served as POW/MIAs.

Every year, POW/MIA Remembrance Week is recognized at Seymour Johnson AFB with events to pay respect to the service members who were held captive or did not return home during past and present wars.

"There are so many people who have served before us, giving their lives and going into unknown dangers to fight for our safety and security as a nation," said Master Sgt. Benjamin Ackerman, 4th Contracting Squadron contracting officer. "Too many of those same people have never made it home, and their loved ones have been left to wonder what has happened. I could not imagine not having that sense of closure, and to be able to be part of anything that can show these families that their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of their loved ones, is not forgotten, it is truly something that anyone that has a patriotic heart should do."

The week kicked off with a 5K run in front of 4th Fighter Wing headquarters where more than 150 Airmen participated. A motorcycle precession led the run while waving the POW/MIA flag from the back of Ackerman's motorcycle.

"It's important because we don't want to forget," said Master Sgt. Katie Neeley, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental flight chief. "You get busy with your day to day life, work, everything going on; sometimes you forget where we came from, who paved the way for us, today as military members, not just in the Air Force, but every service."

Information booths were also displayed throughout the 4th Force Support Squadron, and two free movies, with POW/MIA themes, were shown at the base theater. The week's events also featured a 24-hour name reading run at the 2-mile track. During the run, teams alternated running with the POW/MIA flag and reading the names of fallen heroes. The last lap of the run led up to the closing ceremony for the National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

"The 5k and 24-hour runs were both awesome in their own rights," said Ackerman. "The 5k because this was the first year we did it and had about 150 runners involved, and the 24-hour run because I think the tie in of the end of the run into the closing ceremony with a motorcycle escorted transfer of the flag was pretty awesome."

At the ceremony, a recitation of the Loneliest Prayer by Del "Abe" Jones was read, four F-15E Strike Eagles performed a missing man flyover, and retired U.S. Army Gen. Dan K. McNeill commemorated POW/MIA service members for their courage and honor.

"We're here to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, those who have not come home," McNeill said. "On some quiet evenings, if we listen closely, we can hear the quiet sobs of a mother or a spouse for someone who didn't come home."