Sheppard to host POW/MIA Day events

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard will host a series of events Sept. 18 to honor prisoners of war and servicemembers who did not return. 

Capt. Robert Austin, the events coordinator for POW and MIA Day from the 364th Training Squadron, said this day is important because of its objective which is to commemorate, recognize and remember those that are POWs and MIA. 

"It's important to honor these individuals so we let them, their families and those that walk free know that we have not forgotten their sacrifices for this nation. Their forgoing contributes to sustaining a patriotic spirit and commitment that is needed of every member of the Armed Forces in today's environment," he said. 

A parade will kick off the day at the Parade Field on the corner of 4th Avenue and Avenue I at 7:30 a.m. Retired Col. Richard MacIsaac, a former Air Force command pilot, will be the reviewing official present where the masses of Airmen will pass and review. Two POWs, retired Army Sergeant Luther Prunty and retired Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Hartney, and Lou Criswell, widow of former POW Army Staff Sgt. Walter Criswell, will attend the events with their families.

 A Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place at the Heritage Center on Motor Pool Drive at 9 a.m. 

"Brig. Gen. O. G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander; Col. Kevin Schneider, 80th Flying Training Wing commander; Carl Law, the mayor of Burkburnett, Texas; and Master Sgt. Jeremy Harmon, 365th TRS first sergeant, will present the wreath. This ceremony will be followed by comments from General Mannon and a 21-gun salute from the base honor guard," Captain Austin said. 

After that, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program will host a static display at 9:30 a.m. Aircraft to be flown include the T-6 and T-38. 

The concluding event scheduled is a luncheon at the Sheppard Club at 11 a.m. in Conference Room I with Mr. MacIsaac as the guest speaker. 

The attire for the day is the uniform of the day for military and business casual wear for civilians.