Laughlin marches for National POW/MIA Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joel Langton
  • 47th Flying Training Wing
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Nearly 50 Laughlin members strapped on 60-pound ruck sacks and marched seven miles along Hwy. 90 to the Dr. Alfredo Gutierrez Jr. Ampitheatre in Del Rio Sept. 21 as part of POW/MIA National Recognition Day.

The group, comprising primarily of and led by 47th Security Forces Squadron members, joined forces with a group of Vietnam veterans from Alvin, Texas, along the route. The veterans had marched from Houston, 340 miles away, to honor families of those who had lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan and to attend the POW/MIA National Recognition Day ceremony .

The marchers weren't alone. They had law enforcement support from Texas State Troopers, Val Verde Sheriff's Department and Del Rio Police Department, in addition to support vehicles from 47th SFS.

"I'm really impressed with how all the local law enforcement supported this effort," said Maj. Ted Breuker, 47th SFS commander.

However, there would have been no march without the nearly 50 Team XLers who trekked under the blistering sun's 90-plus degree heat.

When Laughlin marchers neared the Vietnam veterans, Maj. Breuker said it was very simple who was going to lead the marchers to Del Rio and the ceremony at the Ampitheatre.

"We're putting the veterans at the front for two reasons," he said. "It's the position of honor to lead and they've marched all the way from Houston, we're going to let them finish it up."

While the Vietnam Veterans of Texas were marching to honor a large group, from Vietnam to 9/11, to those fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq, the reasons Laughlin marchers were on the route was varied.

Mr. Rafael Renteria, a civilian in the 47th Communications Squadron and an Army veteran who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, said his reason was simple. "I just want to support the troops."

Another civilian, Vic Meza, a Navy Veteran who worked at Laughlin for more than 30 years, marched on behalf of his eight brothers, all who served and put nearly 150 years in the Armed Forces.

One Security Forces member, who's been deployed four times, had complex reasons for marching.

POW/MIAs are something that Tech. Sgt. Joseph Joslin is very commited to - the POW/MIA emblem is tattooed to his left arm.

However, he was marching for more than POW/MIAs. "As Security Forces, we work with the Army a lot, and I've known guys who weren't able to come back to there families," he said. "Every time I return from a deployment and see my family, I realize how lucky I am. So, I guess I do this for those who aren't so lucky."