POW/MIA

Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, Col. Valentino Savoldi, Pagliano e Gori Airport commander, and a formation of Airmen stand at attention during a retreat ceremony, Sept. 25, 2014.The ceremony concluded the weeks events with a formal folding of the American and POW/MIA flags and comments by the vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman)

POW/MIA

Senior Airman Joseph Schmidt, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, leads his team during a warrior march, Sept. 26, 2014, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance week had various events happening throughout the week, to include a memorial run, golf tournament and a balloon release. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy)

POW/MIA

Col. Gregory Kreuder, 31st Fighter Wing vice commander, receives an American flag from Senior Airman Hector Chacon, 31st Force Support Squadron Honor Guard member, during a retreat ceremony, Sept. 25, 2014, at Aviano Air Base. Retreat gathered Airmen to reflect on the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance week and what the events symbolize. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman)

Team Aviano remembers POW/MIAs

Published Sept. 26, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- During an early reveille ceremony Monday morning, members of the Aviano Green Knights --a motorcycle club -- met the 31st Fighter Wing commander with the POW/MIA flag, which was then raised by the base honor guard team, marking the start of a weeklong remembrance ceremony Sept. 22 through 25

The ceremony week was hosted by the local Air Force Sergeants Association honoring those who were prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The third Friday of every September has been congressionally recognized as National POW/MIA Recognition Day throughout the United States. This gives service members and civilian members a chance to reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice or who became captive and their families who suffered or continue to suffer.

Following opening remarks by Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin, 31st FW commander, the remembrance continued with a POW/MIA table ceremony at the dining hall where Airmen were given a chance to see and learn more about the tribute day.

The single table draped in white, also known as the "missing man table," is a common military tradition honoring POW/MIAs. The table also has many symbolic elements, to include a single red rose, yellow ribbon and an inverted glass, each holding their own specific meaning to the overall place setting.

"I have learned a lot about recognizing POW/MIA Remembrance week and becoming involved," said Airman 1st Class Tiara Cook, AFAS member and event chair. "Being a first-term Airman, this was unfamiliar to me, but honoring those who are missing, means a lot."

A golf tournament, balloon release, memorial run and a warrior march were also hosted in honor of those who have not returned home.

"Since World War II, there have been more than 83,000 military members who have gone missing and who are still unaccounted for," said Master Sgt. Court Sartain, POW/MIA remembrance week director. "This week is important because it gives the members of the base knowledge of how many [POW/MIAs] there really are and to not forget them."

The week concluded with a retreat ceremony, featuring a formal flag lowering in front of wing leadership and a formation of Airmen. Also in attendance, was Col. Valentino Savoldi, Pagliano e Gori Airport commander, who also paid respect to those fallen or missing in action.

"This week was an opportunity for us to show support to one another," said Sartain. "In the event we do go to battle and become a prisoner, we have that reassurance that the government will continue their search of us and will not leave us behind."