Remembering the fallen Published Sept. 17, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Jessica D. Keith 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For those who serve their country, Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action Day is a time to remember and honor those who came before us. It is also a reminder to stay vigilant in the search for those still missing. According to the Defense Department, there are currently 1,741 unaccounted for or captured servicemembers. The list spans five decades, and the bulk of the POW/MIAs named are a result of conflicts in Southeast Asia that ended more than 30 years ago. Although finding those who went missing so many years ago may seem like an impossible task, remains have been found as recently as this year. The bodies of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Paul G. Magers and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donald L. Wann, who went missing June 1971, were identified in March. To honor the unaccounted for or captured servicemembers, former President Jimmy Carter proclaimed POW/MIA Day in July 1979. The day is usually recognized during the third week of September with a national ceremony. For the last eight years, Goodfellow has honored this day by holding a ceremony followed by a 24-hour vigil. During this time, military and civilian volunteers gather at the POW/MIA memorial here and recite the names of the missing servicemembers. Members of the local community, including the mayor and city council members were invited to the ceremony. To ensure attendees remember the day honors servicemembers from all branches of the military, a Joint Service Color Guard posted the Colors for the ceremony. Master Sgt. Lucius L. Wilcox III, 17th Training Wing Historian, said that POW/MIA Day is significant in that it is a reminder to be vigilant in the search for unaccounted servicemembers in an effort to provide closure for the families of the missing. "POW/MIA Day is a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that these servicemembers and their families made," Sergeant Wilcox said. He said the day is not about unearthing painful memories, but a reminder to continue the search for POW/MIAs so that they can be given the honor they deserve and provide closure to the families of those who sacrificed everything for their country.
