Photo By Staff Sgt. Valerie Halbert | Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Color Guard service members stand vigil in front of a...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Service members honored thousands of prisoners of war and missing in action military men and women during a POW/MIA recognition ceremony Sept. 18 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
President Barack Obama issued a proclamation Sept. 17 declaring Sept. 18, 2015, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The president compelled Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
“Today and every day, let us renew our pledge to never stop working to bring home the ones we love to the land they risked everything to protect,” Obama said.
Col. Brian Bruckbauer, JBER and 673rd Air Base Wing commander, explained how people from JBER help with the mission to recover missing warriors — the most recent discoveries being in the Philippines and Vietnam.
During the solemn ceremony, members of all services took time out of their day to attend the service which began with the national anthem and was followed by the Canadian National Anthem.
Tech. Sgt Myranda Hinguanzo, 673rd ABW Professional Military Education instructor, recited an executive proclamation from Alaska Governor Bill Walker declaring that tribute is due to the families and friends back home who anxiously await word while attempting to carry on with their lives.
To show respect to fellow comrades lost in conflict, members of the JBER Color Guard conducted a fallen warrior ceremony, in which a monument was built comprised of battle gear. A Soldier carried a rifle, a Marine carried a helmet, a Sailor carried dog tags, an Airman carried boots and another Airman carried a red rose, symbolizing the blood shed from fallen troops, and a black rose, symbolizing mourning.
All U.S. military branches and Canadian military service members joined together in laying wreaths in honor of the POW/MIA service members.
During closing remarks, Bruckbauer reminded everyone that, although we remember the fallen on this day, there are efforts to recover the missing that go on every day throughout the world by the POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
“Every day, the search continues for those who have not been returned home,” Bruckbauer said.
As taps played, all in attendance rose out of respect and remembrance for all fallen and missing comrades.
Those gathered at the service, returned to their daily routines knowing they helped ensure and reestablish the nation’s promise to never forget a single fallen or missing service member.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2015 18:22 |
| Story ID: | 177281 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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