Ceremonies, run remember prisoners of war, missing in action

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Carter
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis Air Force Base held a 24-hour Remembrance Run and Memorial Event Sept. 19 to honor those who were prisoners of war or missing in action.

In honor of National POW/MIA Day, Travis Airmen from multiple squadrons volunteered in shifts to carry the POW/MIA flag and the American flag around the fitness center track for 24 continuous hours.

"This run is definitely for a good cause," said Airman 1st Class Alex Gibson, 571st Global Mobility Readiness Squadron security forces team member and volunteer runner. "It's the least we can do to show support for the POW/MIA."

Volunteers from the 60th Medical Group stood watch to make sure that the event went off without a hitch and to show support.

"It's an awesome run for a great cause," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Burns, 60th MDG NCO in charge and volunteer. "It's a great show of respect to keep the flag moving without stopping."

The event also included a luncheon and ceremony with speakers who were prisoners of war, including guest speaker Sascha Jansen. She was captured with her family by the Japanese during World War II in Manila, Philippines. She expressed her gratitude to the men and women in uniform.

"That uniform stands for liberty," Jansen said. "It stands for freedom. It stands for integrity and it stands for all the hopes and wishes of POWs everywhere. You are needed. You are important. That uniform stands for the flag of the United States of America. You are the heart and soul of this country. Never forget that."

There are currently 83,345 Americans who are missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and both Gulf Wars.