Sheppard honors POW/MIA Day

Col. Michael Hake (left) and Col. Tom Menker (right) place the wreath and render a salute during the Wreath-laying Ceremony Sept. 17 at the Heritage Center on Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Colonel Hake, 82nd Training Wing vice commander, and Colonel Menker, 80th Flying Training Wing vice commander, led the attending audience in rendering proper customs and courtesies as “Taps” was playing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah).

Sheppard honors POW/MIA Day

Retired Master Sgt. Charles Hartney renders a salute Sept. 17 as the members of Team Sheppard pass for review during the parade portion of POW/MIA Day at the parade field on Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Mr. Hartney, former prisoner of war in Germany, served as the reviewing official for the parade. (U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah)

Sheppard honors POW/MIA Day

Volunteers for the POW/MIA Day Flag Vigil report and relieve the current detail Airmen Sept. 17 at the flag pole in front of the 82nd Training Wing command building at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. More than 125 members of Team Sheppard volunteered to stand at parade rest under the POW/MIA and U.S. flags for a 10-minute rotation. The vigil lasted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/LouAnne Sledge)

Sheppard honors POW/MIA Day

Published Sept. 17, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
82nd Training Wing

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Team Sheppard dedicated most of its day to pay tribute to prisoners of war and missing in action servicemembers during the POW/MIA events at Sheppard Sept. 17.

"Our country has approximately 84,000 servicemembers missing (from our past wars)," Col. Michael Hake, 82nd Training Wing vice wing commander, said. "We wanted to keep those missing in action in the hearts and minds of those who have served, and continue to serve. "

Colonel Hake hosted several base and community guests at the Sheppard POW/MIA wreath-laying ceremony at the Sheppard Heritage Center.

Among the guests were retired Master Sgt. Charles Hartney, former POW in Germany, and Mrs. Lou Criswell, widow of former World War II POW.

"I always appreciate (the Sheppard POW/MIA events)," said Mrs. Criswell. "It was a very nice ceremony. I have been coming here every year for the past nine years and have always enjoyed the speakers."

The day's events started at 7 a.m. with a parade designed to honor our missing veterans. To highlight the focus of the parade, the master of ceremony explained the history of it, the drill team performed, a bugler played "Taps" and the 80th Flying Training Wing executed a perfectly-timed flyover.

Mr. Hartney was the reviewing official for the event.

Staff Sgt. Clint Gust, Sheppard master of drill and ceremony, said he was very proud to be a part of the 1,800 servicemembers who participated in the parade.

"I think it was outstanding," said the sergeant. "We did a great honor in celebrating and recognizing the annual POW/MIA celebration and what it is all about."

At the same time the parade began, Sheppard started its rotation of volunteers who held a POW/MIA flag vigil at the 82nd TRW command building.

The 125 volunteers stood in pairs at parade rest underneath the raised POW/MIA and U.S. flags. Every 10 minutes the members posted for the vigil were relieved of duty by the next volunteers in the rotation. The vigil was scheduled to continue until 5 p.m.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Westbrook, 364th Training Squadron electrical systems instructor supervisor, said he volunteered for the vigil to show respect.

"I volunteered to show support for those who died prior to my service and those who have become prisoners of war," he said.

Airman 1st Class James Beaver, 82nd Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician, said he volunteered for the vigil because his grandfather was a POW.

The flag vigil was the final event for this year's POW/MIA Day.

"We want their families to know we care," said Colonel Hake.