POW/MIA Week reminds Team Aviano to never forget

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The POW/MIA Recognition Week concluded with a retreat ceremony Sept. 30 in front of the 31st Fighter Wing Headquarters.

Hosted by the Air Force Sergeants Association, the week honored those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.

Brig. Gen. C. Q. Brown Jr., 31st Fighter Wing commander, and Italian air force Col. Luca Cappelli, Pagliano e Gori Airport commander, attended the ceremony.

"I want to express my thanks to all involved to bring these activities together to honor those who are detained from their loved ones or have yet to come home," General Brown said. "As we gather today, there are two thoughts that came to mind for me -- symbols and family."

According to the general, the military heritage is full of symbols and symbolisms, whether it's the uniforms the servicemembers wear symbolizing the country they serve, the uniform insignias symbolizing the various military branches of service, the ranks or specialty badges.

"The POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States' resolve to never forget POWs or those who serve their country in conflicts and are still missing," General Brown said. "This POW/MIA flag maintains a special place of honor that most symbols of our nation don't ever see. It is the only flag that is ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol rotunda and the only flag other, than the Stars and Stripes, that is flown over the White House."

Airmen with the 31st FW together with ITAF personnel participated in the retreat ceremony that included a POW/MIA table ceremony and wreath-laying ceremony by the two commanders.

"It is an honor for me to be present here today and an opportunity to recognize and remember the brave Soldiers, defenders of freedom, who are still prisoners or missing in action," Colonel Cappelli said.

Prior to the retreat ceremony, AFSA hosted various activities to highlight the week. Volunteers ran 472.25 miles for a 24-hour vigil run from Sept. 28 to 29 at the Dragon Fitness Center track. In addition, volunteers called 8,028 names from the Korean War as part of a vigil call Sept. 29.

"The Air Force Sergeants Association promotes the POW/MIA recognition week to remember and honor all who have sacrificed their freedom or lives in past conflicts, and to keep the POW/MIA motto, 'You are not forgotten,'" said Senior Master Sgt. George Flaig, 31st Communications Squadron Postal superintendent and one of the coordinators of the POW/MIA Recognition Week.

As the recognition week concluded, General Brown asked everyone to use the symbols every day, whether it's the U.S. flag, the uniforms of military traditions or the POW/MIA flag, and "always remember our POW/MIAs and the sacrifices of their families."