24-hour POW/MIA run concludes

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 354th Fighter Wing commander, and Robert Cologie, 354th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations, salute a ceremonial wreath during a POW/MIA memorial Sept. 20, 2013, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaksa. The salute marked the end of a 24-hour long POW/MIA flag run in which Icemen took turns carrying the flag, keeping it in constant motion. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Reft/Released)

24-hour POW/MIA run concludes

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Devin Downey, 354th Communications Squadron network administrator, posts a POW/MIA flag next to a U.S. Flag during a reveille ceremony Sept. 20, 2013, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The ceremony concluded a 24-hour memorial run dedicated to American prisoners of war and those missing in action. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Reft/Released)

24-hour POW/MIA run concludes

Icemen from the 354th Communications Squadron carry a POW/MIA flag during a 24-hour Memorial Run Sept. 20, 2013, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The flag was in constant motion, being passed from one group of runners to another, in a run dedicated to American prisoners of war and those missing in action. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Reft/Released)

Never forgotten: Icemen run to remember POW/MIA

Published Sept. 20, 2013
By Senior Airmen Zachary Perras and Shawn Nickel
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- For 24 hours, Airmen ran. They ran to remember. They ran to pay tribute to those service members before them who were taken as prisoners of war or those missing in action.

Over the course of a 24-hour relay run that began Sept. 19 and ended Sept. 20 with a reveille ceremony, units of the 354th Fighter Wing carried the POW/MIA flag over a 2.5 mile course, passing the flag off to fellow Icemen every 30 minutes.

During the reveille ceremony at Amber Hall, Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 354th FW commander, gave comments reflecting on how POWs inspire him. This included several famous POWs, such as Col. Bud Day, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and Col. Robbie Risner, a Korean War ace.

"There's another group of people who inspire me - Our youngest Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines," Kelly said. "They make daily decisions that would make the highest CEOs simply faint. The vast majority of these young warriors joined the service of a nation already at war. These are this country's 21st Century Spartans and our true national treasure."

Since World War II to present day, more than 83,000 Americans have been unaccounted for, according to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office.

Despite the weather at Eielson, including overnight snow flurries with temperatures dropping to 20 degrees, runners showed commitment to their lost comrades.

"This is what today is about - people when faced with a challenge who decide, act and sacrifice," Kelly commented. "The people who we honor are those who, when faced with danger, step forward and say, 'Send me.'"

Capt. Holly Thompson, 353rd Combat Training Squadron chief of standards, evaluations and training, organized the event, saying it was an honor to pay tribute to the high price lost service members have paid.

"It was an amazing turnout from the base to honor such a noble cause," said Thompson. "It's important to honor these service members who are our past, present and future."

After a complete 24 hours of remembrance, Icemen were reminded of one thing: we will never forget, and we will always honor our comrades' sacrifices.