Sheppard remembers POW/MIA troops

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard honored all prisoners of war and troops missing in action from the past present and future Sept. 18 during five separate events. 

Col. David Petersen, 80th Flying Training Wing commander and speaker at a wreath laying ceremony said, it's not just a one day a year event, Airmen remember POW and MIA troops everyday in the Airman's Creed. 

"Never leave an Airman behind," he said, quoting the Airman's Creed. 

The concept of never leaving an Airman behind was pictured on a POW/MIA memorial at the Heritage Center. It featured a modern troop rescuing five veterans of different services and different wars looked down on them. 

The memorial read "Remember! All of you who served with them and called them comrades. Who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them. For surely they have not forsaken you. Remember! Remember... Until the day they come home Remember!" 

"It's important to remember the people that made the ultimate sacrifices," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Poe, an instructor in the 364th Training Squadron. 

Col. Lansen Conley, former 82nd Training Wing vice commander and guest speaker for the event, said the value of people who made sacrifices is what separates the United States from other countries. 

"People can deploy confidently. The U.S. is not going to just forget about you and get someone else to do your job," he said. 

Colonel Conley spoke about the war in Afghanistan. He said all the Afghani people know is war because the country has been in a war for the past 30 years and it's going to take a long time to rebuild. 

"Hope for Afghanistan is in the 16 to 30-year-olds who are starting to see democracy and enjoying it," said the colonel. 

Sergeant Poe said he is proud to serve his country in deployed locations and appreciates the government's desire to bring all of its service members home. 

"The threat is out there, but it's worth it to know the government is there 100 percent" and values him as an individual, he said.