POW/MIA: Run to Remember

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Harry Brexel
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Team Little Rock honored National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day September 17-18 with a 24-hour run to pay homage to those missing and to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Since 1986, the third Friday in September is observed as POW/MIA Recognition Day. This year, the date coincided with the Air Force's 68th birthday. 

As the U.S. remains to be a country at war, the American Airmen continue to be among those at the front lines of combat.

Since World War I, approximately 83,400 U.S. service members are still unaccounted for, and more than 150,000 Americans have been held as prisoners of war.

While recognizing the Air Force's birthday and National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Col. Charles Brown, the 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, spoke to hundreds of Little Rock Airmen.

"Think about those that wish they could be here with us; those who wish they had the comradery and friendship here today; who wish they were with their families and who would give anything to do what we're doing this morning," Brown said.

The POW/MIA run on Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, consisted of nearly 400 runners, representing 27 squadrons from around the base. Airmen took shifts carrying the POW/MIA flag, keeping the flag in motion for the full 24 hours.

The National League of Families' POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States' resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. The father of a POW designed the flag after imagining what life was like for those behind barbed wire fences on foreign shores.

The flag began to fly around the Warfit track after retreat sounded September 17. It continued to wave while in the hands of Airmen until retreat sounded again the next afternoon.

"Being able to participate in this event gives me a sense of pride," said Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Jauregui, a 19th Operations Support Squadron commander support staff personnelist. "This is my sixth year running in a POW/MIA run and each time it reminds me of what being in the Air Force is all about."


Airmen from the 19th Medical Group run on the track with a POW/MIA flag Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The 24-hour run was held as part of National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)

Airmen from the 19th Medical Group run on the track with a POW/MIA flag Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The 24-hour run was held as part of National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)
 

Members of the 19th Maintenance Group quality assurance flight run during the POW/MIA remembrance vigil at 5:30 a.m. Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. More than 83,000 Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Kaylee Clark)

Members of the 19th Maintenance Group quality assurance flight run during the POW/MIA remembrance vigil at 5:30 a.m. Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. More than 83,000 Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Kaylee Clark)

Staff Sgt. Shawn Henry, 19th Operation Support Squadron joint airdrop inspector, carries the POW/MIA flag during the base's 24-hour vigil Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The run involved hundreds of Airmen from across the base participating in one-hour shifts to keep the POW/MIA flag moving, non-stop for the entire 24-hour event. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Kaylee Clark)

Staff Sgt. Shawn Henry, 19th Operation Support Squadron joint airdrop inspector, carries the POW/MIA flag during the base's 24-hour vigil Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The run involved hundreds of Airmen from across the base participating in one-hour shifts to keep the POW/MIA flag moving, non-stop for the entire 24-hour event. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Kaylee Clark)

Team Little Rock Airmen participate in the annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action run Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Approximately 500 runners participated in this year's 24-hour run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)

Team Little Rock Airmen participate in the annual POW/MIA run Sept. 18, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Approximately 400 runners participated in this year's 24-hour run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)