POW/MIA remembrance runs through Sheppard Sept. 19 Published Sept. 16, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- There will be a POW/MIA run Sept. 19, 2014 at 5 p.m. on base in front of the 82nd Training Wing headquarters building and a ceremonial exhibition at 3:30 p.m. on the parade field. According to the official Defense Prisoner of War Missing Personnel Office website, POW/MIA day, which is an acronym for prisoner of war/missing in action, aims to honor prisoners of war, the missing and their families. Per website details, this is done through a variety of analysis, intelligence and archival research. Staff Sgt. Eric Godinez, 82nd Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant, helped coordinate the event and wanted to do his best to remember those who paved the way. "Before we joined the military there were others that had to endure suffering," he said. The bravery required to overcome such suffering and remember the past adversity that others went through is something Godinez holds in high regard. "It's so they never feel like they're forgotten," he said. As stated by the DPMO, more than 83,000 Americans are missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. The overall operational objective is for department personnel to do their best in bringing home missing personnel and finding details on their whereabouts. Senior Airman Isaac Fugon, 82nd SFS entry controller, looks forward to the run and what it represents. "I'm excited and honored to participate in this event," he said. As a participant, the camaraderie and the various service members converging on base to support one cause as a show of unity appeals to him as well. "I want to do my part...it's a unique volunteer event," he said. To learn more about POW/MIA day and the effort it represents go to http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/