Goodfellow Recognizes POW/MIA Week

Published Sept. 20, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Brian Lummus
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

The 17th Training Wing hosted POW/MIA Recognition Week to honor and remember the brave American Prisoners of War and those who are still Missing in Action.

The POW/MIA Recognition Week started on Sept. 18 with the POW/MIA 5k Memorial Run beginning at the Prisoner of War Memorial on base. The route of the run took participants to several locations around the base before ending back at the memorial. On the following day, the opening ceremony was held for the POW/MIA 24-Hour Run and Name Reading at the Mathis Fitness Center outdoor track. Goodfellow invited guest speakers to share their experiences, stories and what POW/MIA Recognition Day meant to them.

During the run, a baton containing the names of Prisoners of War and those who are Missing in Action was carried for 24 hours straight, signifying the importance of always remembering.

The closing ceremony to conclude the week’s events was held at 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 20 shortly after the conclusion of the 24 Hour Run and Name Reading. Guest speakers, including Lt. Col. Branden DeLong, 312th Training Squadron commander, and Maj. (Ret) Larry Miller, San Angelo City Councilman, emphasized the importance of remembering those that never made it home not just during this week of events, but at all times.