U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 354th Fighter Wing commander, Mrs. Terry Huisman, founder of The American Legion Riders, and Mr. Dave Lemelin, a Veteran of Foreign Wars member, carries a wreath to the POW/MIA monument at Heritage Park during a POW/MIA retreat ceremony Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. According to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, more than 1,700 Americans are still unaccounted for in the course of the Vietnam War to today. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren-Taylor Garcia)
Airmen assigned to the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron run to Heritage Park during the final segment of a 24-hour POW/MIA run Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Senior Airman Cody Freeland, 354th LRS, posted the POW/MIA flag for the rendering of military honors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren-Taylor Garcia)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sebastian Morales, Eielson Air Force Base honor guard member, plays Taps during a POW/MIA retreat ceremony Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. Taps is generally played as the last call of the day and also sounded at the completion of military funeral ceremonies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren-Taylor Garcia)
Eielson Air Force Base honor guard members and Jesse Stern, a North Pole Fire Department firefighter, take down the American flag during a prisoner of war/missing in action ceremony Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The POW/MIA retreat ceremony commemorates the men and women of the armed forces who have given immense sacrifices while in military service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jim Araos)
Eielson Air Force Base honor guard members march with the American flag and the POW/MIA flag during a POW/MIA retreat ceremony at Heritage Park, Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The POW/MIA flag is a symbol of citizen concern about U.S. military personnel taken as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren-Taylor Garcia)
Eielson Air Force Base honor guard members fold the prisoner of war/missing in action flag during the POW/MIA retreat ceremony Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The POW/MIA retreat ceremony commemorates the men and women of the armed forces who have given immense sacrifices while in military service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jim Araos)
Members of Eielson Air Force Base lower the state flags during the prisoner of war/missing in action retreat ceremony Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The lowering of the state flags also closes Heritage Park for the upcoming winter season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jim Araos)
Members of Eielson Air Force Base run during the prisoner of war/missing in action remembrance run Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The run was held for 24 hours with the purpose of creating unity among squadrons, as well as raising awareness of the sacrifices for past service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jim Araos)
Members of Eielson Air Force Base run through Baker Field House during the prisoner of war/missing in action remembrance run Sept. 14, 2012, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The run aimed to support and show the appreciation to the sacrifices POWs endured and those MIA still endure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jim Araos)
by Staff Sgt. Jim Araos
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/21/2012 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Eielson Active duty, guard and family members came together to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action with a 24-hour relay run beginning Sept. 13, and ending with a retreat ceremony Sept. 14.
Units carried the POW/MIA flag over one hour blocks in teams of at least two people on a 2.4 mile course showcasing the flag and event to passersby.
"[Prisoners of war and those missing in action] didn't go out as a single entity, but as a team to support each other. They sacrificed and paid the price. We should honor them," said Master Sgt. Benito Hibbert, 354th Medical Operations Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight chief and POW/MIA relay run coordinator.
More than 1,700 Americans are currently unaccounted from the course of the Vietnam War to this present day, according to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office.
"The entire wing was involved, and I couldn't tell you how many volunteers we have because everyone at some level was engaged," said Hibbert.
A tent was set up and manned by units around base to help runners stay hydrated and warm before and after their run. The commissary donated water, sports drinks and oranges to help keep participants hydrated.
The event started at a temperature of 50 degrees in the evening and dropped down to a low of 27 degrees in the pre-dawn hours. Runners weathered these conditions and continued running the flag, showing true devotion to their comrades.
"It's important to keep that mindset. It would be terrible to be forgotten after sacrificing so much," said Senior Airman Arron Riffle, a contracting specialist with the 354th Contracting Squadron and event participant.
During the last segment of the run, the Freedom Riders, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Christian Motorcycle Association and Harley Owners Group escorted the POW/MIA flag to the retreat ceremony at Heritage Park, where the U.S. and state flags were lowered and a wreath was placed at the base POW/MIA memorial. Standing in formation, the Airmen of the 354th Fighter Wing Paid respect to their fellow warfighters while families watched on with their hands over their hearts.
As a complete 24 hours ticked by, one statement stands true -- our comrades are never forgotten.
