Photo By Staff Sgt. Bethany Rizor | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joni Jackson, 110th Wing finance management technician,...... read more read more
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BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – To honor National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day, the 110th Wing hosted an inaugural ceremony on Sept. 15, 2023, at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan. The purpose of this day is to honor those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Each president followed his example by establishing an annual proclamation to dedicate the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Day.
The 110th Wing Enlisted Advisory Council planned each detail of the ceremony, engaging the help of the Base Honor Guard, members of the 110th Communications Squadron, as well as securing volunteers to maintain a presence of reciting names of missing service members throughout the duty day.
“This is a true reflection of the Air Force Core Values. I think we do an excellent job of demonstrating them in the EAC,” said Tech. Sgt. Joni Jackson, 110th Wing finance management technician and Enlisted Advisory Council activity coordinator. “We have a dynamic team that respects and values prior members, their sacrifices and those who will never come home.”
“Tech. Sgt. Jackson’s memories of active-duty POW/MIA ceremonies inspired the Enlisted Advisory Council to host one at Battle Creek as well.” said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Smith, 217th Air intelligence Squadron intel analyst and EAC Vice President. “It’s a great way to pay tribute to the sacrifices our service members before us have made.”
September weather can be unpredictable, but the morning sky was clear, and the sun cast bright rays as Battle Creek members volunteered their time Friday to recite the names rotating every half hour from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm.
The ceremony commenced with the raising of the POW/MIA flag by the Base Honor Guard team, followed by comments from the 110th Wing deputy commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Kent Harbaugh.
Observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held internationally at military installations, ships at sea, state capitals, veterans’ facilities and schools. But this is a first for the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.
“As a long-time member of the Base Honor Guard, I was very happy to see the Enlisted Advisory Council put this inaugural event together,” said Chief Master Sgt. Erik Morse, 110th Wing Honor Guard superintendent. “It's a fitting way for Wing members to show their respect for our POW/MIAs.”
To this day, there are more than 81,000 service members still missing. But their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
“As Americans, it is important to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have secured the freedoms we enjoy every day,” said Harbaugh. “Our POWs and MIAs rank at the top of that list and by reading their names today I hope that it gives them and their families some small measure of consolation that they have not been forgotten.”
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2023 14:48 |
| Story ID: | 453571 |
| Location: | BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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