D-M honors POW, MIA in remembrance ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  D-M hosted a POW-MIA remembrance ceremony in honor of the thousands of military members who were and are prisoners of war or missing in action at Heritage Park here, Sept. 16.

In keeping with tradition, the ceremony began with Honor Guard posting the colors, a moving rendition of the national anthem by Master Sgt. Aaron Winslow, 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, followed by an invocation by Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Hollstein, 355th Fighter Wing chaplain. Chaplain Hollstein reminding all Airmen who attended to remember the sacrifices and dedication of those who came before us and to never forget those who are fighting for our freedoms now.

After recognizing a few distinguished guests, Master Sgt. Adam Hernandez, 355th Force Support Squadron and master of ceremonies, asked all of the veterans that attended who were once prisoners of war, to stand to be recognized. A round of applause for the POWs followed and Col. James Meger, 355th Fighter Wing vice commander, took the stage and addressed the crowd.

"This is a special day to honor those who are here before us; the missing members who are still out there and their families," Colonel Meger said. "September is a month of reflection, and on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 our true character showed through the devastation and our resolve became a rallying point. That resolve is nothing new in the American spirit. We carry that same resolve in our efforts to account for all the nation's missing. Right here at D-M, the Desert Lightning Team has a core mission to go anywhere at any time to rescue isolated personnel. The DLT proudly lives the motto: so others may live."

Colonel Meger then introduced the guest speaker, retired Col. Robert Barnett.

Colonel Barnett was a fighter pilot and a former Vietnam War POW who, on the night of October 3, 1967, was shot down above Hanoi, Vietnam by a surface-to-air missile. He was able to evade capture for two nights and three days until he was eventually caught by the Vietnamese. They were tortured, they lived in small cells, fed a near-starvation diet and were often harassed and threatened with their lives. Colonel Barnett's family had no idea whether he was alive or dead for two and a half years until his name was finally released. For more than five years, Colonel Barnett was a POW.

"I'm very honored to be here today," Colonel Barnett said. "The third day of September is national POW-MIA recognition day in the U.S., and is a day set aside for Americans to pause and remember the sacrifices of those who were prisoners of war and those missing in action and especially their families."

Colonel Barnett continues to tell the story of his capture and finally his release from captivity.

"The focus is to continue to endure," Colonel Barnett said. "To ensure that America remembers the responsibility to stand by those who have served our nation and to do everything possible to account for those who do not return."

Following Colonel Barnett's speech, Airman 1st Class Jelisa Monk, 355th Fighter Wing, proceeded to place a memorial wreath at the center of the stage to honor POWs and those missing in action.

The playing of Taps by the D-M Honor Guard, followed by the 354th Fighter Squadron performing a missing man formation fly over, signified the end of the ceremony.

"Sons and daughters of the state of Arizona have always answered the call of duty to fight for liberty in this nation's wars," Sergeant Hernandez said. "From the Vietnam conflict alone, 117 soldiers, sailors and Marines with family ties to Arizona answered the call to duty and tragically never returned. Today, we honor their memory."

Next year's POW-MIA ceremony will be hosted by the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.