POWs, those MIA not forgotten

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
Each year Team Holloman pays tribute to the American men and women of the armed forces who never returned home from combat and are missing in action, and to those who faced unthinkable suffering as prisoners of war in distant lands in the pursuit of defending American lives and liberties.

This year, the base organized a POW and MIA remembrance ceremony to honor those brave service men and women. Members and leaders of Team Holloman, as well as members and leaders of Alamogordo and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post were in attendance at Heritage Park for the ceremony Sept. 29.

After the presentation of colors, the singing of the national anthem and the invocation by U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Richard Boyd, U.S. Air Force Col. James Krajewski, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group commander, thanked those in attendance and said a few words on his thoughts about those servicemembers that made the ultimate sacrifice and those that continue to do so.

"At any given time Holloman Air Force Base has over 300 members deployed all over the world, serving in harm's way," said Krajewski. "We support their efforts to do our nation's work, but we also have a promise to uphold to all of those who have gone before us. Too many have never come home or have endured unthinkable hardship as prisoners of war. Today we echo the motto inscribed on the black on white banners that fly in honor of America's prisoners of war and missing in action -- that you are not forgotten."

Krajewski then reiterated that the U.S. will not give up on bringing those still missing back home.

"Today, the stark black and white banner symbolizing America's missing in action and prisoners of war will fly over Heritage Park in honor of those who have sacrificed for our nation," he said. "We fly this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our nation. We will never give up our search for those who are held as prisoners of war or have gone missing under our country's flag."

After the 49th MMG commander's speech, the guest speaker Abel Saiz, commander of the Department of New Mexico VFW of the United States, said a heartfelt thank you to the former POWs in attendance.

"You being here is an important gesture of solidarity, an intangible proof that we as a nation will continue to honor all who have been captured or gone missing," he said. "You have been through an ordeal. You may still carry scars in your heart, your mind and on your body -- a constant reminder of the terrible cost of war -- but rest assured that our nation is keenly aware of and forever grateful for your service and most of all, your sacrifice."

"I would also like to thank the families and friends of those still missing, who represent a constant vigil of the ambiguity and uncertainty, a true test of spirit and resolve for all those still seeking closure," Saiz continued. "Your attendance today proves once again that love transcends the passage of time. Although our nation's heroes remain missing in body, they are here today with us in spirit. They are comrades and we will never forget our duty to bring them home -- not one, not just a few, but all -- they are comrades."

Saiz, who has received the Bronze Star with Valor Device as a result of being wounded during his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, then spoke about the connection between the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and the National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

"We as a nation just reflected on the anniversary of September 11 and it was a day of both remembrance and commitment. Even as we mourn those that were killed we also recall the clarity of purpose and strength we found in the aftermath of those terrible attacks," he said. "I mention this today because when mid-September was chosen as the time to honor the POW and MIA, this month was not yet committed or connected to any war or cause. Throughout our nation's history it has fallen to the men and women of our armed forces to respond to aggressors and adversaries and risk life and limb and make sacrifices on the battlefield, and to protect and defend our nation's freedom from all enemies both foreign and domestic."

Saiz closed his speech with one last pledge to never forget and one last thank you to all of those who attended the ceremony.

"Today we must unite and vow in our hearts to our families, friends and to our nation that we will never forget our special comrades -- the missing in action and prisoners of war," he said. "It is an honor to stand in front of you here today -- you our nation's protectors, our nation's finest. God bless you, God bless you for your bravery and God bless America."

The ceremony concluded with the roll call of honor, the reading of 12 names of New Mexico POW/MIAs, while an Airman from Holloman stood vigil in front of the POW/MIA memorial. For 24 straight hours, Holloman's Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources Base Airmen took turns standing vigil and making sure the eternal flame remained lit -- as a symbol that the POWs and MIAs of today and the past are never forgotten.