Lest we forget

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Connor Estes
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The Liberty Wing recognized Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Remembrance week with events Sept. 17 - 21, sponsored by Chapter 1669 of the Air Force Sergeants' Association.

The theme, "Never Forgotten," referred to not only the hardships and sacrifices former POWs made, but also served as a reminder of those who are still waiting to come home.

The week began with a luncheon that honored fallen and missing comrades. Harry Buckledee, a British Army POW during WWII from 1942 to 1945 spoke at the event.

"It's not everyday you get to hear a 93-year-old war hero talk, and he was amazing," said Master Sgt. Donald Jost, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron chief of fuels information service center. "He had the crowd laughing one minute and crying the next. It was a chance of a lifetime that I will never forget...it definitely made the day and set the tone for the entire week."

Buckledee was a Corporal of the 11th Hussars regiment in North Africa, which was an armored car reconnaissance unit known as the "Cherrypickers," and he served there until his capture by German forces in 1942. He talked about his appreciation of the partnership between U.S. and U.K. forces during the war and his gratitude to an American doctor who helped him when he was liberated as a POW.

"I realized then I was one of the lucky ones to have been somewhere where I got medical attention because I couldn't last much longer and there were lots of others who were dying," said Buckledee. "Nobody is more grateful and thankful than me that I'm still around."

For Buckledee POW/MIA week is a reminder of the trying times as a former POW and being grateful for what you have, but for Jost it was a time to connect with warriors from the past.

"To me it goes back to our military heritage as a whole," said Jost. "It's a way to connect and remember what our U.S. and U.K. POWs/MIAs went through and have done for us. It makes any issues I have to deal with daily minuscule in comparison."

Other events during the week included a Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally, a 5K run and a 24-hour name reading vigil. The week culminated with a ruck march and retreat ceremony at the base flag poles Sept. 21. According to Master Sgt. Heather Lawson, 48th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager and chair of POW/MIA week, this year's events were highly successful.

"The goal for the week was education, to get the word out that we still remember and recognize the POWs/MIAs not only for the U.S., but for our allies as well," said Lawson. "The attendance in this year's events compared to last year is higher, so it looks like we've accomplished our goal."