Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

Published Sept. 23, 2024
By Senior Airman Paige Weldon
355th Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --

Members of Desert Lightning Team held a remembrance 5k and ceremony for National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 20, 2024. Walter Ram, a WWII combat veteran and former POW, spoke about his time in the military and gave advice to younger Airmen.

Men in suits hand another man a flag — POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

U.S. Air Force Col. Gabriel Brown, left, 355th Wing deputy commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Bracely, right, 355th Wing Staff Agency senior enlisted leader, present Walter Ram, center, a WWII combat veteran and former prisoner of war, with a Prisoners of War and Missing in Action flag at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, Sept. 20, 2024. The flag was previously carried by Airmen during a POW/MIA Recognition Day 5k at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

People carry flags while running. — POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

Members of the Desert Lightning Team carry the American and Prisoners of War and Missing in Action flags at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 20, 2024. The flags were carried throughout a remembrance 5k for POW/MIA Recognition Day and later the POW/MIA flag was presented to a former POW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

People run while carrying flags — POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

Members of the Desert Lightning Team run a 5k at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 20, 2024. The American and Prisoners of War and Missing in Action flags were carried during the event by various participants. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

A man holds a microphone — POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

David Bellamy, 355th Operation Support Squadron chief of plans and readiness, reads the names of prisoners of war and those still missing in action at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 20, 2024. The names were read during a remembrance 5k for POW/MIA Recognition Day to honor their memory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

A patch on a sleeve — POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

A U.S. Airman from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base wears a Prisoners of War and Missing in Action remembrance patch at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, Sept. 20, 2024. Airmen and the local community came together at the museum for a POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

A man speaks to a crowd — POW/MIA Recognition Day at DM

Walter Ram, a WWII combat veteran and former prisoner of war, recounts stories about his time in the military at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, Sept. 20, 2024. Ram was the guest speaker at the annual Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day ceremony held at the museum. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)