LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Tech. Sgt. Wardell Newell III, of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, renders a salute Sept. 21 during the POW/MIA Recognition Luncheon at the Gateway Club here. The Joint Service Honor Guard presented a wreath to pay tribute to the many fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who could only be there in spirit. Represnting the other three armed service branches are (left to right): Capt. Gustavo Molina, U.S. Army; Capt. Aaron Roy, U.S. Marine Corps and Lt. Clay Carter, U.S. Navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Belcher)
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Former prisoner of war Tech. Sgt. Joseph Alexander accepts a baton and a handshake Sept. 21 from Senior Airman Cole Weant of the 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron and one of the participants in the 37th Training Wing 24-Hour POW/MIA Vigil Run. Captured at 15 years old, Alexander was the youngest prisoner during World War II. He and other former POWs received batons inscribed with their names outside the Lackland Gateway Club where a luncheon was held in their honor. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Belcher)
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Former prisoners of war and their guests receive the red carpet treatment Sept. 21 as they arrive for the POW/MIA Recognition Luncheon at the Gateway Club here. Two dozen former POWs were saluted during the luncheon through the combined efforts of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillence and Reconnaissance Agency, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and the Taft High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Belcher)
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Members of the Taft High School Air Force Junior Reserve Offficer Training Corps Color Guard arrive to present the colors next to the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag Sept. 21, to officially open the POW/MIA Recognition Luncheon at the Gateway Club here. Two dozen former POWs were saluted during the program through the combined efforts of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillence and Reconnaissance Agency, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and the Taft High School AFJROTC. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Belcher)
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Col. Kevin Dixon, Assistant Vice Commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, delivers remarks Sept. 21 during the POW/MIA Recognition Luncheon at the Gateway Club here. Two dozen former POWs were saluted during the program, through the combined efforts of the Air Force ISR Agency, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and the Taft High School AFJunior Reserve Officer Training Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Belcher)
by Wayne Amann
Air Force ISR Agency Public Affairs
9/24/2012 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency teamed with the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and the Taft High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, to salute 25 former prisoners-of-war Sept. 21 during the POW/MIA Recognition luncheon at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Gateway Club.
The luncheon capped JBSA-Lackland observance activities, including the 4th annual 37th Training Wing 24-hour Vigil Run, the presentation of the run batons to the former POWs and special recognition of the former POWs at the weekly basic military training graduation parade.
"When you think about it, the 24-hour run is the perfect tribute to the missing [in action]," said Col. Kevin Dixon, Air Force ISR Agency assistant vice commander, who spoke at the luncheon on behalf of the agency. "It perfectly encapsulates our enduring hope of bringing the missing back. Bringing the missing back is a trial of endurance, like the 24-hour run."
A joint service honor guard, representing the four armed military branches, paid tribute to all fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen with a wreath presentation at the luncheon.
"I'm glad I'm still around to see these ceremonies," said former Army Cpl. Jimmy Chavez, who spent two and a half years in North Korean POW camps during the Korean War. "The years go by real fast. Before you know it, another year is gone. Thank God we're still hanging on."
Cadet Maj. Ilianna Walker, the Director of Staff, Taft High School AFJROTC, narrated a missing man table ceremony to acknowledge veterans missing in action and honor their sacrifices.
"We call them brothers and sisters," Walker said. "All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, do not forsake them. Pray for them and remember them."
Retired Air Force Maj. William Roberts, a B-17 aerial gunner who was held in captivity for 11 months in Europe during World War II, says today's military is getting a greater sense of its legacy.
"They're more cognizant of what's going on than they used to be," Roberts said. "It's about time...there aren't many World War II POWs left. We're fading fast. I'm glad they appreciate us, but I didn't do it for appreciation. I wasn't even mad at the Germans until I got shot down."
Luncheon attendees heard remarks by Marie L. Weldon, Director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System which services 149 former POWs: 103 from World War II, 25 from the Korean War, 20 from the Vietnam War and one from the Persian Gulf War.
Weldon put the local observance into perspective.
"We're here today to pay tribute to very special American heroes who, unlike anyone else, fully understand the meaning behind the words 'Freedom is not Free,'" she said. "Even now young American heroes are putting their lives on the line for us and for freedom. We cannot forget them, either."
The keynote address was delivered to the assembled former POWs by an inspired Cadet Lt. Col. Jessica Spicer, Cadet Corps Group Commander, Taft High School AFJROTC.
"Your presence here and what you sacrificed reveals the truth to us," Spicer said. "You show us true valor, true faith, true service and the truth embedded in sacrifice."
National POW/MIA Recognition Day observances are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans facilities.
This observance is one of six days throughout the year that Congress mandates the flying of the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
