Maj. Gen. Byron Hepburn (left) and Chief Master Sgt. Derek Madison lead a 59th Medical Wing team during the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland POW/MIA Commemorative Run Sept. 21. The 24-hour memorial run was held in support of National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Hepburn is the commander of the 59th MDW and director of the San Antonio Military Health System. Madison is the 59th Dental Group superintendent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kevin Iinuma)
Airman 1st Class Jonathan Garcia reads the names of individuals identified as POW/MIA during the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland POW/MIA Commemorative Run Sept. 21. The 24-hour memorial run was held in support of National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Since World War I, more than 200,000 Americans have been listed as a POW or MIA. Garcia is a boom operator with the 344th Training Squadron.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kevin Iinuma)
by Airman 1st Class Courtney Moses
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
9/21/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Military members participated in a commemorative Prisoners of War and Missing In Action run here Sept. 20-21 to honor the sacrifices of servicemembers who protected the freedom for every man, woman and child.
The 24-hour run began at 8 a.m. on the first day with multiple teams rotating throughout the event both days.
"We, as a proud organization remember this time every year the incredible service of those who have gone before us in all our nation's conflicts," said Maj. Gen. Byron Hepburn, commander of the 59th Medical Wing and director of the San Antonio Military Health System.
According to homeofheroes.com, since World War I more than 200,000 Americans have been listed as POW or MIA and less than half returned home leaving more than 125,000 still MIA.
"We also remember their children who gave so much, and who continue to give for their nation and our nation. I think this is just fitting to do this in a team manner to remember and also to look forward to the future," said Hepburn.
Hepburn, along with Chief Master Sgt. Derek Madison, 59th Dental Group superintendent, led the way with a team from the 59th MDW.
During the event, volunteers solemnly read the names of individuals who were listed as POW and MIA.
"There are people who served long before me who have lost their lives and who have been tortured and have been through horrible things that I can't even begin to imagine," said Airman 1st Class Robert McJunkin, dental lab technician for the 59th Dental Group. "This is one way I can actively show my support."
118 participants from the 59th MDW participated in the event throughout the 24-hour period.
