MacDill Airmen carry the flag to honor POW/MIA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The MacDill Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), chapter 552, hosted an annual POW/MIA Run/Walk, Sept. 16, 2016, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Every year, in the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. The day was established to honor those who were prisoners of war and who are still missing in action.

“MacDill has held this in the past, but this is the first time AFSA is coordinating the event and has made it into a run and a walk to open it up to a wider audience,” said Tech. Sgt. Samantha Ferrell, an event coordinator for the POW/MIA Run/Walk. “In the past it has been a run, we decided to allow people to walk because we have veterans, wounded warriors, mothers with children and active duty members on profiles that would like to participate, but can’t run.”

The event began with posting of the colors by the MacDill Base Honor Guard, the playing of the national anthem and opening remarks by Tech. Sgt. Westley Walker, president of the MacDill AFSA chapter. Simultaneously, approximately 20 volunteers continuously circled the track carrying the POW/MIA flag for 12 hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For Ferrell, prisoners of war and missing in action service members have had a tremendous impact on her career and life. Her grandmother’s brother-in-law, Harold Swanson, was a prisoner of war during World War II. After hearing his stories, Ferrell made the decision to be the first generation female in her family to join the military.

“Being a part of this event and having this event is very important to me because POWs and MIAs are part of our military’s history,” said Ferrell. “I want to pay it forward and build awareness for all Airmen about their history. So if this event makes people stop for just a second and think about how POWs and MIAs have sacrificed for our country, the event was a success.”

According to the National League of POW/MIA Families as of June 13, 2016 there are still 1,618 U.S. personnel unaccounted for and missing. This event is just a small way that Team MacDill recognizes and pays homage to the lives of these brave service members.

“I am here to run for those who have sacrificed for our country and for me as an Airman,” said Staff Sgt. Chelsey Hibsch, an installation patrolmen assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron. “For me and my team it is important to build awareness and honor those service members and that is why we are running today.”