Honoring our heroes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ariel D. Partlow
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  On Friday, Sept. 18, Team XL will be observing the day with a silent march and a retreat ceremony with a 20-person formation, in which Laughlin's commander, Col. Thomas Shank, will be speaking.

The third Friday of September is recognized across the nation as a day to honor those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency office (whose mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation) more than 83,000 American's are still missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the Gulf War.

The 1.3-mile silent march will begin at Babe Ruth Softball Field, across from the FamCamp, at 4 p.m. and will end at Heritage Park for the ceremony.

"It's important for us as a military to remember those who've sacrificed their lives to get us where we are as a nation," said Master Sgt. Stacy Waller, 47th Operations Squadron Host Aviation Resource Management superintendent and the event point of contact. "This is our way of showing respect to our POWs and MIAs."

All Laughlin members are encouraged to attend, and the event is open to everyone.

For more information, contact Master Sgt. Stacy Waller at 298-4761 or Tech. Sgt. Ronald Bailey at 298-4382.