SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- A black flag; the silhouette of a man in front of a tower and rifle. This representation reflects the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action flag created in 1971.
At present, more than 83,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars and other conflicts; but the truth still remains, “You are not forgotten.”
At Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, events were held throughout the week in honor of all prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Armstrong, 4th Operations Support Squadron airfield management NCO in charge, held a 24-hour vigil, which started on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, and lasted until the next day.
“This vigil was to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Armstrong.
The run comprised of one team consisting of three members. For one hour, two members ran along a two-mile track while carrying the POW/MIA flag. The other team member read off the names of the POW/MIA’s from North Carolina and rotated with a runner every hour for 24 hours.
“With creating the events in honor of Prisoners of War, it makes me have a better understanding of the sacrifices that those family members have had to go through,” said Armstrong. “It makes me feel good and motivates me to continue to fight for our freedom.”
Along with the 24-hour vigil, a closing ceremony was held on the last day of the run. Members of Team Seymour, alongside military veterans and local Boy Scouts, came out to pay homage for the missing.
The ceremony consisted of an appearance from the base honor guard, and a speech from distinguished visitor, Ret. Capt. Kevin Hynes.
Hynes joined the Air Force in 1963 and trained to be a B-52 Bombardier/Navigator. He went to Vietnam in 1967 serving as a squadron intelligence officer and navigator. His brother, who also served in the military, was shot down and served a year as a POW in Stalag Luft III, a concentration camp in Germany.
In closing the ceremony, Col. Brian Armstrong, 4th Fighter Wing vice commander, gave his ending remarks.
“I believe I speak for all service members when I say I am inspired by the integrity, the fierce loyalty, resolve, and the courage displayed by American Prisoners of War,” said Brian Armstrong. “Let us be reminded of the sacrifice it takes to be a part of the world’s most powerful military, and the price that is paid to be free.”